Non-dehiscent sesame ind variety sesaco 39

ABSTRACT

Non-dehiscent sesame ( Sesamum indicum  L.) (IND) designated Sesaco 39 (S39) is herein disclosed. Its degree of shatter resistance, or seed retention, makes S39 suitable for mechanized harvesting and for selection for sesame crop growth in many geographical locations. S39 is very well suited for South Texas.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/954,723 filed Mar. 18, 2014.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a new Sesamum indicum L. variety with improvednon-dehiscence (IND) appropriate for mechanized harvesting.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Sesame, or Sesamum indicum, is a tropical annual cultivated worldwidefor its oil and its nut flavored seeds. The sesame plant grows to aheight of about 52-249 cm, and at its leaf axils are found capsules,which contain the sesame seed. Upon maturity in nature, the capsulesholding the sesame seeds begin to dry down, the capsules normally splitopen, and the seeds fall out. Commercially, the harvester tries torecover as much seed as possible from mature capsules. From ancienttimes through the present, the opening of the capsule has been the majorfactor in attempting to successfully collect the seed. Harvestingmethods, weather, and plant characteristics all contribute to the amountof seed recovered.

The majority of the world's sesame is harvested manually. With manualnon-mechanized methods, it is desirable for the sesame seed to fallreadily from the plant. Manual harvesting is labor intensive. Efforts tomechanize or partially mechanize harvesting met with limited success.

A breakthrough was accomplished when non-dehiscent (ND) sesame wasdeveloped and patented by Derald Ray Langham. ND sesame was found topossess the proper characteristics, which would enable mechanicalharvesting without the seed loss disadvantages reported with priorvarieties.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,100,452; 6,815,576; 6,781,031; 7,148,403; 7,332,652;and 8,003,848 each disclose and claim non-dehiscent (ND) sesamecultivars having various characteristics.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,847,149; 7,855,317; 7,964,768; 8,058,503; 8,080,707;8,207,397; 8,507,750; 8,581,026; and 8,586,823 each disclose and claimimproved non-dehiscent (IND) sesame cultivars having variouscharacteristics.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A new sesame variety designated Sesaco 39 (S39) with representative seedhaving been deposited on Mar. 13, 2014 with the American Type CultureCollection (ATCC) Patent Depository under ATCC Accession No. PTA-121091.In one aspect, the invention comprises a seed of sesame varietydesignated S39, a sample of said seed having been deposited under ATCCAccession No. PTA-121091. In another aspect, the invention comprises asesame plant produced by growing the seed of sesame variety S39, asample of said seed having been deposited under ATCC Accession No.PTA-121091.

In yet another aspect, the invention comprises plant cells derived froma sesame plant, said plant produced by growing the seed of sesamevariety S39, a sample of said seed having been deposited under ATCCAccession No. PTA-121091. The plant cells may be selected, for example,from pollen, tissue culture of regenerable cells, and asexuallyreproducing cultivars.

In yet another aspect, the invention comprises a sesame plant having allthe physiological and morphological characteristics of sesame varietyS39, a sample of the seed of said variety having been deposited underATCC Accession No. PTA-121091.

In another aspect, the invention comprises a sesame plant regeneratedfrom a tissue culture of regenerable cells produced from plant cellsderived from sesame variety S39, a sample of said seed having beendeposited under ATCC Accession No. PTA-121091, wherein said regeneratedsesame plant has all the physiological and morphological characteristicsof said sesame variety S39. The plant cells may be derived from S39seeds or plant cells from tissue from a sesame plant produced by growingthe seed of sesame variety S39.

In another aspect, the invention comprises a method of producing sesameseed, comprising crossing a first parent sesame plant with a secondparent sesame plant and harvesting the resultant sesame seed, whereinsaid first or second parent sesame plant was produced by growing seed ofsesame variety S39, a sample of said seed having been deposited underATCC Accession No. PTA-121091.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A-1C depicts the lineage of S39.

FIG. 2 through FIG. 10 compare Sesaco 39 (S39) to the present Sesacovarieties: Sesaco 28 (S28), Sesaco 30 (S30), Sesaco 32 (S32), Sesaco 34(S34), Sesaco 35 (S35), Sesaco 36 (S36), Sesaco 37 (S37), and Sesaco 38(S38).

FIG. 2 depicts a comparison of the percent of seed retention duringShaker Shatter Resistance testing from 1997 to 2011 for the variousSesaco sesame varieties.

FIG. 3 depicts a comparison of the mean improved non-dehiscent visualrating for the various Sesaco sesame varieties grown under similarconditions.

FIG. 4 depicts a comparison of the composite kill tolerance ratings forthe various Sesaco sesame varieties grown under similar conditions.

FIG. 5 depicts a comparison of the mean days to physiological maturityfor the various Sesaco sesame varieties grown under similar conditions.

FIG. 6 depicts a comparison of the yield at drydown for the variousSesaco sesame varieties grown under similar conditions.

FIG. 7 depicts a comparison of the mean weight of 100 seeds in gramsfrom 1997 to 2011 for the various Sesaco sesame varieties.

FIG. 8 depicts a comparison of seed oil content for the various Sesacosesame varieties grown under similar conditions.

FIG. 9 depicts a comparison of whitefly tolerance for the various Sesacovarieties of sesame plants grown under similar conditions.

FIG. 10 depicts a comparison of leaf disease tolerance for the variousSesaco varieties of sesame plants grown under similar conditions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Herein disclosed is a Non-Dehiscent (ND) sesame variety designatedSesaco 39 (S39), which exhibits Improved Non-Dehiscence (IND) and novelcharacteristics which make it a commercially suitable sesame line. Byvirtue of having IND, there is less seed loss when left in the fieldpast prime harvest time in adverse weather conditions, for example,rain, fog, dew, and wind. S39 is suitable for mechanical harvesting.

The Improved Non-Dehiscent (IND) class of sesame, developed by DeraldRay Langham, is ND, but IND sesame also exhibits better adhesion betweenfalse membranes and improved placenta attachment. IND sesame holds moreseed than prior sesame types, as measured four weeks after a crop isready for harvest (could have been combined). IND characteristics offeradvantages for certain growing applications.

Compared to ND sesame, IND sesame has more seed in the capsules whenmeasured between 4 and 9 weeks after the ideal harvest time.

Without wishing to be bound by one particular theory, it is believedthat this increased amount of seed in the capsules may be due to the S39variety having the ability to better withstand adverse environmentalconditions such as inclement or harsh weather. Examples of adverseweather conditions to which S39 has been subjected in this regard arerain, fog, dew, and wind. S39 variety has been tested and meets thecriteria of IND.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,080,707 is herein incorporated by reference as if fullyset forth herein. This application discloses Improved Non-DehiscentSesame. S39 is an example of a variety which resulted from breedingmethods described therein.

S39 exhibits improved shatter resistance, acceptable tolerance to commonfungal diseases, and a maturity that allows a suitable geographicalrange. Further, S39 exhibits higher yield in geographical locationsdesirable for sesame planting, and exhibits desirable seed color. S39 issuitable for planting in areas that have approximately a 21° C. groundtemperature when planted in the spring and night temperatures above 5°C. for normal termination. An exemplary desirable geographical area forS39 is from South Texas at the Rio Grande to Oklahoma border and fromthe Caprock of Texas eastward to the Atlantic Ocean. Other exemplaryareas are areas of the United States or of the world, which areas havesimilar climatic conditions, daylength patterns (similar latitudes) andelevations.

In describing the present invention, it is helpful to be aware of someterminology. Sesame plants have been studied for their response toseasonal and climatic changes and the environment in, which they liveduring the different phases and stages of growth and development. Thistype of study, called “phenology” has been documented by the inventor inLangham, D. R. 2007. “Phenology of sesame,” In: J. Janick and A. Whipkey(ed.), Issues in New Crops and New Uses, ASHS Press, Alexandria, Va.

Table I summarizes the phases and stages of sesame, and will be usefulin describing the present invention.

TABLE I Phases and stages of sesame No. Stage/Phase Abbreviation Endpoint of stage DAP^(z) weeks Vegetative VG Germination GR Emergence 0-51− Seedling SD 3^(rd) pair true leaf  6-25 3− length = 2^(nd) JuvenileJV First buds 26-37 1+ Pre- PP 50% open flowers 38-44 1− reproductiveReproductive RP Early bloom EB 5 node pairs of 45-52 1  capsules Midbloom MB Branches/minor plants 53-81 4  stop flowering Late bloom LB 90%of plants with no 82-90 1+ open flowers Ripening RI Physiologicalmaturity  91-106 2+ (PM) Drying DR Full maturity FM All seed mature107-112 1− Initial drydown ID 1^(st) dry capsules 113-126 2  Latedrydown LD Full drydown 127-146 3  ^(z)DAP = days after planting. Thesenumbers are based on S26 in 2004 Uvalde, Texas, under irrigation.

There are several concepts and terms that are used in this document thatshould be defined. The Environmental Protection Agency has allowedharvest aids to be used to desiccate sesame within 2 weeks ofapplication after physiological maturity. If no harvest aids are used,in the initial drydown stage in Table I, the capsules begin to dry andopen. This stage ends when 10% of the plants have one or more drycapsules. The late drydown stage ends when the plants are dry enough sothat upon harvest, the seed has a moisture content of 6% or less. Atthis point some of the capsules have been dry for 5 weeks in the exampleused in Table I, but in other environments for other varieties, thedrying can stretch to 7 weeks. The “ideal harvest time” is at the end ofthe late drying stage. At this point, a combine (also sometimes referredto as a combine harvester, a machine that combines the tasks ofharvesting, threshing, and cleaning grain crops) can be used to cut andthresh the plants and separate the seed from the undesired plantmaterial. However, at times, weather may prevent harvest at the idealtime. The plants may have to remain in the field for as much as anadditional four weeks, and in some cases even longer. Thus, time tocorresponds to the ideal harvest time and time t₁ which corresponds tothe time the grower actually harvests the sesame, is a time later thantime t₀.

The pedigree method of plant breeding was used to develop S39. Sesame isgenerally self-pollinated. Crossing is done using standard techniques asdelineated in Yermanos, D. M. 1980. “Sesame. Hybridization of cropplants,” Am Soc. Agronomy-Crop Sci. of America, pp. 549-563 and U.S.Pat. No. 6,100,452. Ashri provides an overview of sesame breeding inAshri, A. (1998). “Sesame breeding,” Plant Breed. Rev. 16:179-228 andAshri, A. 2007. Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.). In: R. J. Singh, Ed.,Genetic Resources, Chromosome Engineering, and Crop Improvement, Vol. 4,Oilseed Crops, p. 231-289, CRC Press, Boca Raton, Fla., USA.

The lineage of S39 is presented in FIG. 1. 111 (1) was a line obtainedfrom the NPGS (P1173955) in 1979 and first planted by Sesaco in theWoods nursery (Wellton, Ariz.) in 1981. NPGS obtained it in 1949 from W.N. Koelz, USDA, Beltsville, Md., who obtained it from India. WithinSesaco, 111 first carried the identifier 0858 and was then changed toX111. In 1985, a selection of this line became Sesaco 4 (S04).

111X (2) was an outcross in the 111 (1) plot BT0458 in the Nickersonnursery (Yuma, Ariz.) in 1982. Within Sesaco, it carried the identifierE0745 and was later changed to T111X.

F820 (3) was a cross made by Sesaco between 111 (1) and 104 (4) in theNickerson nursery (Yuma, Ariz.) in 1982. Within Sesaco, it carried theidentifier F820.

104 (4) was a line obtained from the Sesamum Foundation (D. G. Langham,Fallbrook, Calif.) in 1977 and first planted in the Kamman nursery(Wellton, Ariz.) in 1978. It was obtained with the designator SF084. TheSesamum Foundation obtained it from Maximo Rodriguez in 1961. He hadcollected it from Mexico where it was known as Instituto 8. Instituto 8was a selection from G53.48, a cross made by D. G. Langham in 1953 inGuacara, Venezuela. Within Sesaco, 104 carried the identifier 0084. In1983, a selection of this line became Sesaco 2 (S02) [0039]578 (5) was across made by Sesaco between F820 (3) and F853 (6) in the McElhaneynursery (Wellton, Ariz.) in 1983. Within Sesaco, it first carried theidentifier G8578 and was later changed to T578.

F853 (6) was a cross made by Sesaco between 104 (4) and 192 (7) in theNickerson nursery (Yuma, Ariz.) in 1982. Within Sesaco, it carried theidentifier F853.

192 (7) was a line obtained from the M. L. Kinman in 1980 and firstplanted by Sesaco in the Woods nursery (Wellton, Ariz.) in 1981. Theline was originally T61429-B-4-1-3 from the Kinman USDA sesame program,College Station, Tex., which had been in cold storage at Ft. Collins,Colo. In 1997, the line was transferred to the NPGS, Griffin, Ga. andgiven the identifier P1599462. Within Sesaco, 192 first carried theidentifier 1479 and then was changed to X191 and X193. In 1985, aselection from X193 became Sesaco 3 (S03) and a selection of X191 becameSesaco 7 (S07).

031 (8) was a cross made by Sesaco between 578 (5) and 118 (9) in theRamsey nursery (Roll, Ariz.) in 1984. Within Sesaco, it carried theidentifier H0031 and then changed to T031.

118 (9) was a line obtained from the NGPS (P1425944) in 1979 and firstplanted in Kamman nursery (Wellton, Ariz.) in 1979. The NGPS obtained itin 1978 from P. F. Knowles, University of California, Davis, Calif., whocollected it in Pakistan. Within Sesaco, it carried the identifier 1118,which was changed to X118 and then to T118.

BI954 (10) was a cross made by Sesaco between 031 (8) and 2CA (15) inthe Gilleland nursery (Uvalde, Tex.) in 1993. Within Sesaco, it carriedthe identifier BI1954.

72C (11) was a line obtained from the NGPS (P1292146) in 1979 and firstplanted in Woods nursery (Wellton, Ariz.) in 1981. The NGPS obtained itin 1963 from Hybritech Seed International, a unit of Monsanto, U.S.,which obtained it from Israel. In viewing this material in 1986, A.Ashri of Israel concluded that it was an introduction to Israel. Thematerial is similar to introductions from the Indian subcontinent.Within Sesaco, it has carried the identifier 0702 and then changed toX702. When the selection was made, it carried the designator X702C andlater changed to 72C. In 1986, a selection from 72C became Sesaco 12(S12).

L6651 (12) was a cross made by Sesaco between 72C (11) and 804 (14) inthe Wright nursery (Roll, Ariz.) in 1987. Within Sesaco, it carried theidentifier L6651.

G8 (13) was a line obtained from D. G. Langham in 1977 and first plantedby Sesaco in the Kamman nursery (Wellton, Ariz.) in 1978. It was aselection from the cultivar ‘Guacara’, which D. G. Langham developed inVenezuela in the 1950s. Guacara was an initial selection from a crossthat later produced one of the major varieties in Venezuela-Aceitera.Within Sesaco, G8 first carried the identifier X011 and was laterchanged to TG8.

804 (14) was a cross made by Sesaco between G8 (13) and 111X (2) in theNickerson nursery (Yuma, Ariz.) in 1982. Within Sesaco, it has carriedthe identifier F804; in 1988, a selection of this line became Sesaco 11(S11).

2CA (15) was a cross made by Sesaco between L6651 (12) and S11 (16) inthe Wright nursery (Roll, Ariz.) in 1988. Within Sesaco, it has carriedthe identifier LCX02 and later changed to X2CA and then to T2CA.

S11 (16) was a cross made by Sesaco between G8 (13) and 111X (2) in theNickerson nursery (Yuma, Ariz.) in 1982. Within Sesaco, it has carriedthe identifier F804. In 1988, a selection of this line became Sesaco 11(S11).

S26 (17) was a cross made by Sesaco between B1954 (10) and S16 (38) inthe Friesenhahn nursery (Knippa, Tex.) in 1994. The original designatorwas CM764 and later changed to X13J. In 2002, a selection from X13Jbecame Sesaco 26 (S26), U.S. Pat. No. 6,781,0331.

SOMALIA (18) was a line obtained from the NGPS (P1210687) in 1979 andfirst planted in Kamman nursery (Wellton, Ariz.) in 1979. The NGPSobtained it from the Administrazione Fiduciaria Italiana della Somalia,Mogadishu, Somalia. Within Sesaco, it carried the identifier 0730.

H6778 (19) was a cross made by Sesaco between SOMALIA (18) and 118 (9)in the Hancock nursery (Wellton, Ariz.) in 1984. Within Sesaco, itcarried the identifier H6778.

J3208 (20) was a cross made by Sesaco between H6778 (19) and H6432 (22)in the Hancock nursery (Wellton, Ariz.) in 1985. Within Sesaco, itcarried the identifier J3208.

193 (21) was a selection from 192 (6), which was a line obtained fromthe M. L. Kinman in 1980 and first planted by Sesaco in the Woodsnursery (Wellton, Ariz.) in 1981. The line was originally T61429-B-4-1-3from the Kinman USDA sesame program, College Station, Tex., which hadbeen in cold storage at Ft. Collins, Colo. In 1997, the line wastransferred to the NPGS, Griffin, Ga. and given the identifier P1599462.Within Sesaco, 192 first carried the identifier 1479 and then waschanged to X191 (single capsule) and X193 (triple capsule). In 1985, aselection from X193 became Sesaco 3 (S03) and a selection of X191 becameSesaco 7 (S07).

H6432 (35) was a cross made by Sesaco between 193 (21) and 076 (24) inthe Hancock nursery (Wellton, Ariz.) in 1984. Within Sesaco, it carriedthe identifier H6432.

MAXIMO (23) was a line obtained from the Sesamum Foundation (D. G.Langham, Fallbrook, Calif.) in 1977 and first planted in the Kammannursery (Wellton, Ariz.) in 1978. The Sesamum Foundation obtained itfrom Maximo Rodriguez in 1961. He had collected it from Mexico where itwas known as Instituto Regional Canasta. Within Sesaco, it carried theidentifier 0116 and then changed to TMAX.

076 (24) was a cross made by Sesaco between MAXIMO (23) and R234 TALL(26) in the Kamman nursery (Wellton, Ariz.) in 1979. Within Sesaco, itcarried the identifier C076 and then changed to T076.

R234 (25) was a named variety obtained from D. M. Yermanos in 1978 fromhis sesame program at the University of California at Riverside. It wasfirst planted in the Kamman nursery (Wellton, Ariz.) in 1978. WithinSesaco, it carried the identifier 0544 and then changed to T234.

R234 TALL (26) was an outcross found in a population of R234 (25) in theKamman nursery (Wellton, Ariz.) in 1979. Within Sesaco, it carried theidentifier X026.

K3255 (27) was a cross made by Sesaco between J3208 (20) and J3222 (34)in the Hancock nursery (Wellton, Ariz.) in 1986. Within Sesaco, itcarried the identifier K3255.

045 (28) was a cross made by Sesaco between G8 (13) and 958 (29) in theKamman nursery (Wellton, Ariz.) in 1978. Within Sesaco, it carried theidentifier B045 and then changed to T045.

958 (29) was a line obtained from the Sesamum Foundation in 1977 andfirst planted in the Kamman nursery (Wellton, Ariz.) in 1978. It wasobtained with a designator of SF411. The Sesamum Foundation obtained itfrom John Martin in 1962 who had obtained it from the D. G. Langhambreeding program in Venezuela. Within Sesaco, G958-1 carried theidentifier 0411 and later changed to T958.

H6785 (30) was a cross made by Sesaco between 045 (28) and 036 (32) inthe Hancock nursery (Wellton, Ariz.) in 1984. Within Sesaco, it carriedthe identifier H6785.

982 (31) was a line obtained from the Sesamum Foundation in 1977 andfirst planted in the Kamman nursery (Wellton, Ariz.) in 1978. It wasobtained with a designator of SF477 and was named G53.98-2. The SesamumFoundation obtained it from John Martin in 1962 who had obtained it fromthe D. G. Langham breeding program in Venezuela. G53.98-2 was a crossmade by D. G. Langham in 1953 in Guacara, Venezuela. Within Sesaco, 982carried the identifier 0477 and then changed to T982.

036 (32) was a cross made by Sesaco between 982 (31) and G53.80-1 (33)in the Kamman nursery (Wellton, Ariz.) in 1979. Within Sesaco, itcarried the identifier C036 and then X036. In 1984, a selection fromX036 became Sesaco 6 (S06).

G53.80-1 (33) was a line obtained from the Sesamum Foundation in 1977and first planted in the Kamman nursery (Wellton, Ariz.) in 1978. It wasobtained with a designator of SF471. The Sesamum Foundation obtained itfrom John Martin in 1962 who had obtained it from the D. G. Langhambreeding program in Venezuela. G53.80-1 was a cross made by D. G.Langham in 1953 in Guacara, Venezuela. Within Sesaco, G53.80-1 carriedthe identifier 0471.

J3222 (34) was a cross made by Sesaco between H6785 (30) and H6562 (36)in the Hancock nursery (Wellton, Ariz.) in 1982. Within Sesaco, itcarried the identifier J3222.

195 (35) was an outcross selected in plot MN4584 in a population of 192(7) in the McElhaney nursery (Wellton, Ariz.) in 1983. Within Sesaco, itcarried the identifier E0690 and then changed to X195.

H6562 (36) was a cross made by Sesaco between 195 (35) and 701 (37) inthe Hancock nursery (Wellton, Ariz.) in 1984. Within Sesaco, it carriedthe identifier H6562.

701 (37) was a line obtained from the NGPS (P1292145) in 1979 and firstplanted in Woods nursery (Wellton, Ariz.) in 1981. The NGPS obtained itin 1963 from Hybritech Seed International, a unit of Monsanto, U.S.,which obtained it from Israel. In viewing this material in 1986, A.Ashri of Israel concluded that it was an introduction to Israel. Thematerial is similar to introductions from the Indian subcontinent.Within Sesaco, it carried the identifier 0701 and then changed to X701.In 1984, a selection from X701 became Sesaco 5 (S05).

S16 (38) was a cross made by Sesaco between K3255 (27) and S11 (16) inthe Wright nursery (Roll, Ariz.) in 1987. Within Sesaco, it carried theidentifier KAP11 and then changed to XFXA. In 1991, a selection fromXFXA became Sesaco 16 (S16).

L26XA (39) was an outcross in the S26 (17) plot 3318 in the Gillelandnursery (Uvalde, Tex.) in 2004. Within Sesaco, it carried the identifierL26XA.

K0338 (40) was a cross made by Sesaco between 804 (14) and 96B (42) inthe Hancock nursery (Wellton, Ariz.) in 1986. Within Sesaco, it carriedthe identifier K0338.

191 (41) was a selection from 192 (7), which was a line obtained fromthe M. L. Kinman in 1980 and first planted by Sesaco in the Woodsnursery (Wellton, Ariz.) in 1981. The line was originally T61429-B-4-1-3from the Kinman USDA sesame program, College Station, Tex., which hadbeen in cold storage at Ft. Collins, Colo. In 1997, the line wastransferred to the NPGS, Griffin, Ga. and given the identifier P1599462.Within Sesaco, 192 first carried the identifier 1479 and then waschanged to X191 and X193. In 1985, a selection from X193 became Sesaco 3(S03) and a selection of X191 became Sesaco 7 (S07).

96B (42) was an outcross in the 191 (41) in plot 4637 in the McElhaneynursery (Wellton, Ariz.) in 1983. Within Sesaco, it carried theidentifier E0690, which later became X196B and was later changed toT96B.

ZSA (43) was a cross made by Sesaco between K0338 (40) and S11 (16) inthe Yuma greenhouse (Yuma, Ariz.) in 1986. Within Sesaco, it firstcarried the identifier KAC22 and was later changed to XZSA and then toTZSA.

SAA (44) was a cross made by Sesaco between ZSA (43) and 233 (49) in theSharp nursery (Roll, Ariz.) in 1989. Within Sesaco, it has carried theidentifier PE046 and later changed to XSAA and then to TSAA.

B043 (45) was a cross made by Sesaco between G8 (13) and MEL (46) in theKamman nursery (Yuma, Ariz.) in 1978. Within Sesaco, it carried theidentifier B043.

MEL (46) was a line obtained from Mel Tiezen in 1978 and first plantedby Sesaco in the Kamman nursery (Wellton, Ariz.) in 1978. Mr. Tiezenobtained it from a farmer in Mexico. Within Sesaco, MEL first carriedthe identifier 0543 and was then changed to TMEL.

C063 (47) was a cross made by Sesaco between B043 (45) and G54 (48) inthe Kamman nursery (Yuma, Ariz.) in 1979. Within Sesaco, it carried theidentifier C063.

G54 (48) was a line obtained from the Sesamum Foundation (D. G. Langham,Fallbrook, Calif.) in 1977 and first planted in the Kamman nursery(Wellton, Ariz.) in 1978. It was obtained with the designator SF408. TheSesamum Foundation obtained it from John Martin in 1962. This line wasgiven to Mr. Martin by D. G. Langham. G54 was a selection from G53.48, across made by D. G. Langham in 1954 in Guacara, Venezuela. WithinSesaco, G54 carried the identifier 0408 and was then changed to TG54.

233 (49) was a cross made by Sesaco between C063 (47) and 193 (21) inthe Hancock nursery (Wellton, Ariz.) in 1984. Within Sesaco, it firstcarried the identifier H6233 and was later changed to T233.

13H (50) was a cross made by Sesaco between SAA (44) and 031 (8) in theGilleland nursery (Uvalde, Tex.) in 1994. Within Sesaco, it carried theidentifier CM413 and later changed to X13H and then to T13H.

S30 (51) was a cross made by Sesaco between 13H (50) and 2CB (56) in theGilleland nursery (Uvalde, Tex.) in 1994. The original designator wasGD038, and later changed to X3HX. In 2008, a selection from X3HX becameSesaco30 (S30), U.S. Pat. No. 7,847,149.

56B (52) was a cross made by Sesaco between 804 (14) and 562 (54) in theWright nursery (Tacna, Ariz.) in 1987. Within Sesaco, it first carriedthe identifier KAN00 and was later changed to X56B and then to T56B.

F822 (53) was a cross made by Sesaco between 111 (1) and 192 (7) in theNickerson nursery (Yuma, Ariz.) in 1982. Within Sesaco, it carried theidentifier F822.

562 (54) was a cross made by Sesaco between F822 (53) and 700 (55) inthe McElhaney nursery (Wellton, Ariz.) in 1983. Within Sesaco, it firstcarried the identifier G8562 and was later changed to T562.

700 (55) was a line obtained from the NPGS (P1292144) in 1979 and firstplanted by Sesaco in the Woods nursery (Wellton, Ariz.) in 1981. NPGSobtained it in 1963 from Hybritech Seed International, a unit ofMonsanto, U.S., which obtained it from Israel. In viewing this materialin 1986, A. Ashri of Israel concluded that it was an introduction toIsrael. The material is similar to introductions from India andPakistan. Within Sesaco, 700 first carried the identifier 0700 and waslater changed to T700.

2CB (56) was a cross made by Sesaco between 56B (52) and 2CA (15) in theGilleland nursery (Uvalde, Tex.) in 1992. Within Sesaco, it has carriedthe identifier AG729 and later changed to X2CB and then to T2CB.

S39 (57) was a cross made by Sesaco between L26XA (39) and S30 (51) inthe Gilleland nursery (Uvalde, Tex.) Year 1 (hereinafter “Year” isabbreviated as “YR”) and designated PP229.

The resulting seed of PP229, designated P229 was planted in a plot C557in YR2. Two plants were selected based on having a low first capsule anda long capsule zone. In the first generation, the line was pure singlecapsule per leaf axil based on a dominant gene.

The seed (3792) from one of the plants was planted in a plot 3251 inYR3. Three individual plants were selected based on having a longercapsule zone and more shatter resistance than S26. The plot wassegregating capsules per leaf axil.

The seed (1068) from one of the plants was planted in a plot 4364 inYR4. Six individual plants were selected based on having many capsulesdown the row, similar to a sister plot with a high yield, and lightseeking ability. A 10 capsule selection was made from five of the sixplants. The plot was pure single capsule per leaf axil.

The designator was changed from PP229 to X30E. The seed (R210) from the10 capsule selection was planted in a plot 3312 in YR5. Elevenindividual plants were selected based on a very good capsule zone andshort internodes.

The seed (2343) from one of the plants was planted in a plot 3235 inYR6. A bulk of 9 plants was selected based on having a high yield andmany capsules down the row, but it was hoped the height of the firstcapsule was lower.

The seed from the bulk (0745) was planted in a plot 7664 in YR7. A bulkof 96 plants was selected based on a high yield and very good shatterresistance.

The seed (1431) from the bulk was planted in a plot W505 in YR7-8 in awinter nursery. The plot was rogued and all of the plants were harvestedbased on ability to do very well in low moisture compared to the otherlines under the same conditions.

The seed (30EPR) from the plants was planted in a strip trial in afarmer field in YR8 for final verification of weather shatterresistance, lodging tolerance, and yield. A bulk of two hundred plantswere selected based on a good drum test, many capsules in the plot, anda good yield.

The seed (30EGW) from the bulk was planted in a farmer field in YR9 forfinal verification of weather shatter resistance, lodging tolerance,yield, and combinability. The line combined well with no issues. Thedesignator was changed to Sesaco 39. The variety was released to farmersin YR10.

Along with breeding programs for sesame, tissue culture of sesame iscurrently being practiced in such areas of the world as Korea, Japan,China, India, Sri Lanka and the United States. One of ordinary skill inthe art may utilize sesame plants grown from tissue culture as parentallines in the production of non-dehiscent sesame. Further IND sesame maybe propagated through tissue culture methods. By means well known in theart, sesame plants can be regenerated from tissue culture having all thephysiological and morphological characteristics of the source plant.

The present invention includes the seed of sesame variety S39 depositedon Mar. 13, 2014 with the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) PatentDepository under ATCC Accession No. PTA-121091; a sesame plant or partsthereof produced by growing the seed deposited under ATCC Accession No.PTA-121091; any sesame plant having all the physiological andmorphological characteristics of sesame variety S39; any sesame planthaving all the physiological and morphological characteristics of asesame plant produced by growing the seed deposited under ATCC AccessionNo. PTA-121091. The present invention also includes a tissue culture ofregenerable cells produced from the seed having been deposited underATCC Accession No. PTA-121091 or a tissue culture of regenerable cellsfrom sesame variety S39 or a part thereof produced by growing the seedof sesame variety S39 having been deposited under ATCC Accession No.PTA-121091. A sesame plant regenerated from a tissue culture ofregenerable cells produced from the seed having been deposited underATCC Accession No. PTA-121091 or from sesame variety S39, wherein theregenerated sesame plant has all the physiological and morphologicalcharacteristics of sesame variety S39 is also contemplated by thepresent invention. Methods of producing sesame seed, comprising crossinga first parent sesame plant with a second parent sesame plant, whereinthe first or second parent sesame plant was produced by seed having beendeposited under ATCC Patent Deposit Designation No. PTA-121091 is partof the present invention.

Unless otherwise stated, as used herein, the term plant includes plantcells, plant protoplasts, plant cell tissue cultures from which sesameplants can be regenerated, plant calli, plant clumps, plant cells thatare intact in plants, or parts of plants, such as embryos, pollen,ovules, flowers, capsules, stems, leaves, seeds, roots, root tips, andthe like. Further, unless otherwise stated, as used herein, the termprogeny includes plants derived from plant cells, plant protoplasts,plant cell tissue cultures from which sesame plants can be regenerated,plant calli, plant clumps, plant cells that are intact in plants, orparts of plants, such as embryos, pollen, ovules, flowers, capsules,stems, leaves, seeds, roots, root tips, and the like.

Sesame cultivar S39 has been tested experimentally over several yearsunder various growing conditions ranging from South Texas to SouthernOklahoma. Sesame cultivar S39 has shown uniformity and stability withinthe limits of environmental influence for the characters listed in TableII below. Table II provides the name, definition, and rating scale ofeach character as well as the method by which the character is measured.Under the rating section, the rating for S39 is presented in bold text.Additionally, the distribution of the character in Sesaco's sesamedevelopment program is indicated under the rating section. Sesaco usesslightly different character specifications from “Descriptors forsesame”, AGP:IBPGR/80/71, IBPGR Secretariat, Rome, (1981) and from theform “Sesame (Sesamum indicum)”, U.S. Department of Agriculture PlantVariety Protection Office, Beltsville, Md. The descriptors in thosedocuments were developed in the early 1980s and have not been updated toincorporate new concepts in sesame data collection.

Table II provides characteristics of S39 for forty-five (45) traits.Numerical ratings and values reported in this table were experimentallydetermined for S39 with prior sesame varieties in side by sidereplicated trials. Actual numerical values and ratings for a givenvariety will vary according to the environment, and the values andratings provided in Table II were obtained in the environment specifiedin the parenthetical following the S39 rating. If “NT” is indicated, itindicates that trait was not tested. Table V provides a directcomparison between the new S39 variety and the prior varieties thusdemonstrating the relative differences between the varieties in the sideby side trials

TABLE II Characters Distinguishing the S39 Line Character RatingMethodology (1) BRANCHING S39 = B The amount of branching on any STYLE(All crops, all nurseries) particular plant depends on the space Thepotential amount of Subjective rating based on around the plant. In highpopulations, true branching in a line the following values: branchingcan be suppressed. This rating U = Uniculm - no should be based onpotential as expressed branching except weak on end plants and plants inthe open. branches in open True branches start in the leaf axil B = Truebranches below the first flower, and they begin to Distribution withinSesaco emerge before the first open flower. As based on stable lines inlong as there is light into the leaf axils, the crossing program inthere will be additional branches that start 1982-2001 (Total numberbelow the first branches in subsequently of samples tested = 1,333)lower nodes. Weak branches occur when U = 42.4% a plant is in the open.They develop in the B = 57.6% lowest nodes and subsequent branches startat higher nodes. There are lines that will not branch in anycircumstance. Some lines in the open will put on spontaneous brancheslate in the cycle. True and weak branches do not have a capsule in thesame leaf axil, whereas the spontaneous branches form under the capsuleafter the capsule has formed. Spontaneous branches are not counted asbranches. There are rare lines where the flowering pattern is to put onflowers on lower nodes late in the cycle. In this case, the capsule isformed after the branch is developed. This pattern should not be termedspontaneous branching, and the branch is normally counted as a truebranch. There are branched lines that have secondary branches on thebranches. In a few cases, there can be tertiary branches. Additionalbranches generally appear in low populations. COMMENTS: the effects oflight appear to have more of an effect on branching than moisture andfertility. High populations suppress branching. (2) NUMBER OF S39 = 1Rating can be taken from about 60 days CAPSULES PER LEAF (All crops, allnurseries) after planting through to the end of the AXIL Subjectiverating based on crop. The predominant the following values: NUMBER OFCAPSULES PER LEAF number of capsules per 1 = Single AXIL is highlydependent on moisture, leaf axil in the middle 3 = Triple fertility, andlight. In triple capsule lines, the half of the capsule zone Based onpotential as central capsule forms first, and axillary described in themethodology capsules follow a few days later. Triple presented hereincapsule lines have the potential to put on Distribution within Sesacoaxillaries, but will not do so if plants do not based on stable lines inhave adequate moisture and/or fertility. In the crossing program indrought conditions, some triple capsule 1982-2001 (Total number lineswill produce only a central capsule for of samples tested = 1,327) manynodes. In these lines, when there is 1 = 58.3% adequate moisture throughrain or irrigation, 3 = 41.7% some will add axillary capsules on onlynew nodes, while others will add axillary capsules to all nodes. Sometriple capsule lines will not put on axillary capsules if there is nodirect sunlight on the leaf axil. To date, lines with single capsuleshave nectaries next to the central capsule in the middle of the capsulezone while triple capsules do not. However, some lines have what appearto be nectaries on the lower capsules of triple lines, but upon closeexamination, they are buds, which may or may not eventually develop intoa flower and then a capsule. In most triple capsule lines, the lower andupper nodes have single capsules. There are some lines where the endplants can put on 5 capsules/leaf axil and a few that have the potentialto put on 7 capsules/leaf axil. 5 and 7 capsules only appear with openplants with high moisture and fertility. In some environments, singlecapsule lines will put on multiple capsules on 1 node and rarely on upto 5 nodes. These lines are not considered triple capsule lines. (3)MATURITY CLASS S39 = M for 99 days The basis for this data point is DAYSThe maturity of a line in (Uvalde nursery^(a), 2008-2011) TOPHYSIOLOGICAL MATURITY relation to a standard Subjective rating based on(Character No. 29). S26 is the standard line. Currently, the thefollowing values: line to be used to compute MATURITY standard line isS26 at V = Very early (<85 days) CLASS. For each line, the physiological100 days E = Early (85-94 days) maturity for each year is subtracted bythe M = Medium (95-104 S26 maturity for that year in that nursery, days)and then the number of days of difference L = Late (105-114 days) isaveraged. The average is then added to T = Very late (>114 days) 100.Distribution within Sesaco See DAYS TO PHYSIOLOGICAL based on stablelines in MATURITY (Character No. 29) for the the crossing program ineffects of the environment on MATURITY 1998-2001 (Total number CLASS. ofsamples tested = 650) Note that S24 was formerly used as the V = 1.2%standard for this trait. S26 averages E = 26.8% approximately 5 dayslonger than S24. M = 56.2% L = 12.9% T = 2.9% (4) PLANT S39 = B1M Thefirst character is the BRANCHING PHENOTYPE (All crops; all nurseries)STYLE (Character No. 1), followed by the A three character Subjectiverating based on NUMBER OF CAPSULES PER LEAF designation that thefollowing values: AXIL (Character No. 2), and then the provides thebranching BRANCHING STYLE MATURITY CLASS (Character No. 3). style,number of U = Uniculm - no When these characters are placed in acapsules per leaf axil, branching except weak matrix, there are 20potential phenotypes. and the maturity class branches in open Thephenotype provides an overview of B = True branches the generalappearance of the plant. There NUMBER OF CAPSULES is a very highcorrelation between PER LEAF AXIL MATURITY CLASS and HEIGHT OF 1 =Single PLANT (Character No. 5). 3 = Triple MATURITY CLASS V = Very early(<85 days) E = Early (85-94 days) M = Medium (95-104 days) L = Late(105-114 days) T = Very late (>114 days) Distribution within Sesacobased on stable lines in the crossing program in 1998-2001 (Total numberof samples tested = 650) U1V = 0% U3V = 1.1% U1E = 3.8% U3E = 8.3% U1M =16.0% U3M = 12.0% U1L = 3.4% U3L = 2.2% U1T = 0.5% U3T = 0.6% B1V = 0%B3V = 0.2% B1E = 8.0% B3E = 6.3% B1M = 23.2% B3M = 4.8% B1L = 6.5% B3L =1.0% B1T = 1.6% B3T = 0.4% (5) HEIGHT OF PLANT S39 = 135 cm Themeasurement is made after the The height of the plant (Uvalde nursery,2013) plants stop flowering. For plants that are from the ground to theValue based on the not erect or have lodged, the plant should top of thehighest average of a minimum of be picked up for the measurement. Inmost capsule with viable three plants (unit of lines the highest capsuleis on the main seed measure: cm) stem. In lines with the dt/dt allelesDistribution within Sesaco (determinate), the highest capsule is onbased on stable lines in the branches. the crossing program in COMMENTS:this height is dependent 1999-2001 (Total number on the amount ofmoisture, heat, fertility, of samples tested = 2,274) and population.Increased values generally low = 56 cm; high = 249 cm increase theheight. In a high population, 1 = <94.6 cm; 5.2% the height will onlyincrease if there is 2 = <133.2 cm; 34.6% adequate fertility andmoisture; otherwise, 3 = <171.8 cm; 54.9% the height will be shorter. Inlow light 4 = <210.4 cm; 5.1% intensities, the heights are generallytaller. 5 = >210.3 cm; 0.1% avg. = 134.8 cm, std = 23.5 (6) HEIGHT OFFIRST S39 = 54 cm The measurement is made after the CAPSULE (Uvaldenursery, 2013) plants stop flowering. For plants that are The height ofthe first Value based on the not erect or have lodged, the plant shouldcapsule from the average of a minimum of be picked up for themeasurement. In most ground to the bottom of three plants (unit oflines, the lowest capsule is on the main the lowest capsule on measure:cm) stem. True branches have capsules higher the main stem Distributionwithin Sesaco than on the main stem except when the based on stablelines in flowers fall off the main stem. the crossing program inOccasionally, on weak branches, the 1999-2001 (Total number lowestcapsule is on the branches. of samples tested = 2,274) There are linesthat flower in the lower low = 20 cm; high = 193 cm nodes late in thecycle, and, thus, the 1 = <54.6 cm; 52.7% measurement should be takenafter 2 = <89.2 cm; 45.5% flowering ends. In many lines the first 3 =<123.8 cm; 1.5% flower does not make a capsule, and, thus, 4 = <158.4cm; 0.3% this height may not be the same as the 5 = >158.3 cm; 0.1%height of the first flower. The height is avg. = 54.2 cm, std = 14.3correlated to the length of time to flowering, the earlier the lower theheight. COMMENTS: see HEIGHT OF PLANT (Character No. 5) for effects ofenvironmental factors (7) CAPSULE ZONE S39 = 81 cm The measurement isderived by LENGTH (Uvalde nursery, 2013) subtracting the HEIGHT OF FIRSTThe length of the Value based on the CAPSULE (Character No. 6) from thecapsule zone. The average of a minimum of HEIGHT OF PLANT (Character No.5). capsule zone extends three plants (unit of COMMENTS: see HEIGHT OFPLANT from the bottom of the measure: cm) (Character No. 5) for effectsof lowest capsule on the Distribution within Sesaco environmentalfactors main stem to the top of based on stable lines in the highestcapsule on the crossing program in the main stem. 1999-2001 (Totalnumber of samples tested = 2,274) low = 18 cm; high = 188 cm 1 = <52 cm;4.7% 2 = <86 cm; 53.5% 3 = <120 cm; 41.3% 4 = <154 cm; 0.5% 5 = >153.9cm; 0.1% avg. = 80.6 cm, std = 17.2 (8) NUMBER OF S39 = 28 pairs Thecount is made after the plants stop CAPSULE NODE (Uvalde nursery, 2013)flowering. On opposite and alternate PAIRS Value based on the arrangedleaves, each pair of leaves is The number of capsule average of aminimum of counted as one node pair. In some lines, node pairs from thethree plants (unit of there are three leaves per node for at leastlowest capsule node to measure: number) part of the plant, and those arecounted as the highest node with Distribution within Sesaco one nodepair. In some plants, flowers may capsules with viable based on stablelines in not have produced capsules on one or seed on the main stem thecrossing program in more of the leaf axils in a node. These of the plant1999-2001 (Total number node pairs should still be counted. Node ofsamples tested = 2,154) pairs on the branches are not counted. low = 10;high = 54 In years when the amount of moisture 1 = <18.8; 17.9%available to the plant is irregular, node 2 = <27.6; 48.3% pairs canbecome very irregular, 3 = <36.4; 29.5% particularly on triple capsulelines. In the 4 = <45.2; 3.6% upper portions of the plant, it may become5 = >45.1; 0.7% easier to count the capsule clusters and avg. = 25.3,std = 6.4 divide by 2. While it is possible to count node pairs afterleaves have fallen, it is much easier to count while the leaves arestill on the plant. COMMENTS: the number of node pairs is dependent onthe amount of moisture and fertility. Higher moisture and fertilityincreases the number of node pairs. (9) AVERAGE S39 = 3.0 cm Divide theCAPSULE ZONE LENGTH INTERNODE LENGTH (Uvalde nursery, 2013) (CharacterNo. 7) by the NUMBER OF WITHIN CAPSULE Value based on the CAPSULE NODES(Character No. 8). ZONE average of a minimum of COMMENTS: this length isdependent The average internode three plants (unit of on the amount ofmoisture, fertility, and length within the measure: cm) population.Increased values generally capsule zone Distribution within Sesacoincrease the length. In a high population, based on stable lines in thelength will only increase if there is the crossing program in adequatefertility and moisture; otherwise 1999-2001 (Total number the lengthwill be shorter. In low light of samples tested = 2,145) intensities,the lengths are generally low = 1.09 cm; high = 8.09 cm longer. 1 =<2.49 cm; 6.2% Past methodologies have measured the 2 = <3.89 cm; 74.6%internode length at the middle of the 3 = <5.29 cm; 18.6% capsule zone.Some have measured it at 4 = <6.69 cm; 0.4% the median node and othersat the median 5 = >6.68 cm; 0.1% CAPSULE ZONE LENGTH. avg. = 3.35 cm,std = 0.66 (10) YIELD AT S39 = 1,347 kg/ha On 3 replicated plots, whenthe plants DRYDOWN (Uvalde nursery, 2013) are dry enough for directharvest, cut a An extrapolation of the 1,539 kg/ha minimum of 1/5000 ofa hectare (Sesaco yield of a field by taking (Rio Hondo nursery^(b),uses 1/2620) in the plot and place the sample yields 2013) plants in acloth bag. Thresh the sample in Values based on the a plot thresher andweigh the seed. average of a minimum of Multiply the weight by theappropriate three replications (unit of multiplier based on area takento provide measure: kg/ha) the extrapolated yield in kg/ha. Distributionwithin Sesaco In the Almaco thresher there is about based on stablelines in 3% trash left in the seed. Since yields are the crossingprogram in comparative, there is no cleaning of the 1999-2001 (Totalnumber seed done before the computation. If other of samples tested =1,828) threshers have more trash, the seed low = 67 kg/ha should becleaned before weighing. high = 2421 kg/ha COMMENTS: yields increasewith 1 = <537.8 kg/ha; 5.6% moisture and fertility. However, too high a2 = <1008.6 kg/ha; 15.6% moisture can lead to killing of plants. Too 3 =<1479.4 kg/ha; 51.5% high fertility can lead to extra vegetative 4 =<1950.2 kg/ha; 25.8% growth that may not lead to higher yields. 5= >1950.1 kg/ha; 1.4% The optimum population depends on the avg. =1114.6 kg/ha, PLANT PHENOTYPE, Character No. 4 std = 331.2 (BRANCHINGSTYLE, Character No. 1; NUMBER OF CAPSULES PER LEAF AXIL, Character No.2; and MATURITY CLASS, Character No. 3) and row width. (11) TOLERANCE TOS39 = NT In a year when there is a drought, this DROUGHT Average of aminimum of rating can be used to differentiate the The relative amountof three plots of a subjective effects of the different lines. This is atolerance to drought rating based on the subjective rating requiring arater that is following values: familiar with the performance of theline 0 to 8 scale under normal conditions. The rating is 7 = Littleeffect from based on how the drought changes the drought line fromnormal. Thus, a short line that 4 = Medium effect from does not changesignificantly in a drought drought may have a higher rating than a tallline, 1 = Considerable effect which is affected by the drought even fromdrought though the taller line is taller in the drought Intermediatevalues are than the short line. used. Distribution within Sesaco basedon stable lines in the crossing program in 2000 (Total number of samplestested = 632) low = 0; high = 8 1 = <1.6; 0.8% 2 = <3.2; 28.0% 3 = <4.8;36.1% 4 = <6.4; 34.5% 5 = >6.3; 0.6% avg. = 4.1, std = 1.2 (12) LEAFLENGTH S39 = NT Select one leaf per node to measure The length of theleaf Value based on the from the 5^(th), 10^(th), and 15^(th) node pairsfrom blade from the base of average of a minimum of the base of theplant. All the leaves for one the petiole to the apex three plants (unitof line should be collected at the same time. of the leaf from the5^(th), measure: cm) Some lines retain the cotyledons, and the 10^(th),and 15^(th) node Distribution within Sesaco cotyledon node does notcount as a node pairs for 5^(th) leaf based on stable pair. In somelines the lowest leaves lines in the crossing abscise leaving a scar onthe stem. program in 2002 (Total Abscised nodes should be counted. Innumber of lines tested = lines with alternate leaves, one node is 196with 711 samples) counted for each pair of leaves. In some low = 13.8cm; high = 42.5 cm lines in parts of the plant there are three 1 = <19.5cm; 34.7% leaves per node, which should be counted 2 = <25.3 cm; 48.0%as one node. 3 = <31.0 cm; 14.3% The leaves continue growing in thefirst 4 = <36.8 cm; 1.5% few days after they have separated from 5= >36.7 cm; 1.5% the growing tip. The choosing of leaves avg. = 21.5 cm,std = 4.4 should be done a minimum of 5 days after Distribution withinSesaco the 15^(th) node has appeared. Timing is for 10^(th) leaf basedon important, because the plants will begin to stable lines in thecrossing shed their lower leaves towards the end of program in 2002(Total their cycle. number of lines tested = There are lines that haveless than 15 196 with 711 samples) nodes. In this case, the highest nodelow = 9.3 cm; high = 32.9 cm should be taken and the node number 1 =<14.0 cm; 22.4% annotated to the measurements. 2 = <18.7 cm; 41.8% Therecan be as much as 6 mm 3 = <23.5 cm; 20.9% difference between a greenleaf and a dry 4 = <28.2 cm; 10.2% leaf. The measurements can be done ona 5 = >28.1 cm; 4.6% green or dry leaf as long as any avg. = 17.9 cm,std = 4.8 comparison data with other lines is based Distribution withinSesaco on the same method. for 15^(th) leaf based on Generally, thelowest leaves increase in stable lines in the crossing size until the4^(th) to 6^(th) node and then they program in 2002 (Total decrease insize. This applies to LEAF number of lines tested = LENGTH (CharacterNo. 12), LEAF 196 with 711 samples) BLADE WIDTH (Character No. 14), andlow = 4.4 cm; high = 26.2 cm PETIOLE LENGTH (Character No. 15). In 1 =<8.8 cm; 5.1% few cases, LEAF BLADE LENGTH 2 = <13.1 cm; 42.9% CharacterNo. 13) can increase up the 10^(th) 3 = <17.5 cm; 29.8% node, but willdecrease by the 15^(th) node. 4 = <21.8 cm; 15.8% Generally, the widthwill decrease at a 5 = >21.7 cm; 6.6% greater rate than the length. avg.= 14.3 cm, std = 4.2 COMMENTS: the length is dependent on the amount ofmoisture and fertility. Higher moisture and fertility increase thelength. Leaf size also appears to be affected by light intensity. InKorea, the Korean lines have much larger leaves than in Oklahoma. InKorea, there is more cloud cover and a general haze than in Oklahoma.(13) LEAF BLADE S39 = NT See LEAF LENGTH (Character No. 12) LENGTH Valuebased on the on how to collect leaves. The The length of the leafaverage of a minimum of measurement does not include PETIOLE blade fromthe base of three plants (unit of LENGTH (Character No. 15). In some theleaf blade to the measure: cm) leaves the blade on one side of thepetiole apex of the leaf from Distribution within Sesaco starts beforethe other side. This measure the 5^(th), 10^(th), and 15^(th) for 5^(th)leaf based on stable should start from the lowest blade side. node pairslines in the crossing There are leaves that have enations where programin 2002 (Total a blade starts and then stops. The number of lines tested= enations are not considered part of the leaf 196 with 711 samples)blade because they are very irregular from low = 9.0 cm; high = 25.5 cmplant to plant and within a plant. 1 = <12.3 cm; 14.3% COMMENTS: seeLEAF LENGTH 2 = <15.6 cm; 60.2% (Character No. 12) for effects of 3 =<18.9 cm; 20.9% environment 4 = <22.2 cm; 3.1% 5 = >22.1 cm; 1.5% avg. =14.4 cm, std = 2.4 Distribution within Sesaco for 10^(th) leaf based onstable lines in the crossing program in 2002 (Total number of linestested = 196 with 711 samples) low = 8.3 cm; high = 23.4 cm 1 = <11.3cm; 18.9% 2 = <14.3 cm; 42.9% 3 = <17.4 cm; 25.0% 4 = <20.4 cm; 9.2% 5= >20.3 cm; 4.1% avg. = 13.9 cm, std = 3.0 Distribution within Sesacofor 15^(th) leaf based on stable lines in the crossing program in 2002(Total number of lines tested = 196 with 711 samples) low = 4.2 cm; high= 20.7 cm 1 = <7.5 cm; 2.0% 2 = <10.8 cm; 36.7% 3 = <14.1 cm; 37.8% 4 =<17.4 cm; 16.3% 5 = >17.3 cm; 7.1% avg. = 12.0 cm, std = 3.0 (14) LEAFBLADE S39 = NT See LEAF LENGTH (Character No. 12) WIDTH Value based onthe on how to collect leaves. There are many The width of the leafaverage of a minimum of leaves that are not symmetrical with lobingblade measured across three plants (unit of on one side and not theother. The width the leaf blade at the measure: cm) should still bemeasured across the widest widest point at the 5^(th), Distributionwithin Sesaco point on a line perpendicular to the main 10^(th), and15^(th) node for 5^(th) leaf based on stable vein of the leaf. pairslines in the crossing On some lines the width exceeds the program in2002 (Total length, particularly on lobed leaves. number of lines tested= COMMENTS: see LEAF LENGTH 196 with 711 samples) (Character No. 12) foreffects of low = 3.4 cm; high = 31.0 cm environment 1 = <8.9 cm; 53.1%The widest leaves are lobed. Normally, 2 = <14.4 cm; 33.7% the leaveshave turned from lobed to 3 = <20.0 cm; 9.7% lanceolate by the 10^(th)leaf with the 4 = <25.5 cm; 2.6% exception of the tropical lines. 5= >25.4 cm; 1.0% avg. = 9.6 cm, std = 4.3 Distribution within Sesaco for10^(th) leaf based on stable lines in the crossing program in 2002(Total number of lines tested = 196 with 711 samples) low = 1.3 cm; high= 17.6 cm 1 = <4.6 cm; 69.4% 2 = <7.8 cm; 25.0% 3 = <11.1 cm; 4.6% 4 =<14.3 cm; 0% 5 = >14.2 cm; 1.0% avg. = 4.3 cm, std = 2.2 Distributionwithin Sesaco for 15^(th) leaf based on stable lines in the crossingprogram in 2002 (Total number of lines tested = 196 with 711 samples)low = 0.7 cm; high = 6.0 cm 1 = <1.8 cm; 29.1% 2 = <2.8 cm; 48.0% 3 =<3.9 cm; 15.3% 4 = <4.9 cm; 4.6% 5 = >4.8 cm; 3.1% avg. = 2.3 cm, std =0.9 (15) PETIOLE LENGTH S39 = NT See LEAF BLADE LENGTH (Character Thelength of the Value based on the No. 13) on how to collect leaves. Insome petiole from the base of average of a minimum of leaves, the bladeon one side of the petiole the petiole to the start three plants (unitof starts before the other side. This measure of the leaf blade at themeasure: cm) should end where the earliest blade starts. 5^(th),10^(th), and 15^(th) node Distribution within Sesaco There are leavesthat have enations where pairs for 5^(th) leaf based on stable a bladestarts and then stops. The lines in the crossing enations are notconsidered part of the leaf program in 2002 (Total blade because theyare very irregular from number of lines tested = plant to plant andwithin a plant and should 196 with 711 samples) be measured as part ofthe petiole. low = 3.0 cm; high = 17.0 cm COMMENTS: see LEAF LENGTH 1 =<5.8 cm; 35.2% (Character No. 12) for effects of 2 = <8.6 cm; 39.8%environment 3 = <11.4 cm; 19.4% 4 = <14.2 cm; 4.1% 5 = >14.1 cm; 1.5%avg. = 7.0 cm, std = 2.5 Distribution within Sesaco for 10^(th) leafbased on stable lines in the crossing program in 2002 (Total number oflines tested = 196 with 711 samples) low = 1.0 cm; high = 14.2 cm 1 =<3.6 cm; 53.6% 2 = <6.3 cm; 31.6% 3 = <8.9 cm; 11.7% 4 = <11.6 cm; 2.0%5 = >11.5 cm; 1.0% avg. = 4.0 cm, std = 2.1 Distribution within Sesacofor 15^(th) leaf based on stable lines in the crossing program in 2002(Total number of lines tested = 196 with 711 samples) low = 0.2 cm; high= 7.4 cm 1 = <1.6 cm; 38.8% 2 = <3.1 cm; 41.8% 3 = <4.5 cm; 13.3% 4 =<6.0 cm; 3.1% 5 = >5.9 cm; 3.1% avg. = 2.3 cm, std = 1.3 (16) NUMBER OFS39 = 2 The rating can be taken from about 60 CARPELS PER (All crops,all nurseries) days after planting to all the way to the end CAPSULESubjective rating based on of the crop. The predominant the followingvalues: There are many plants with mixed number of carpels per 2 =bicarpellate number of carpels as follows: capsule in the middle 3 =tricarpellate 1. Some bicarpellate plants will have half of the capsulezone 4 = quadricarpellate one or more nodes near the center of the (unitof measure: actual capsule zone that have tri- and/or number)quadricarpellate capsules and vice versa. Distribution within Sesaco 2.Most tri- and quadri-carpellate plants based on the introductions willbegin and end with bicarpellate nodes. received in 1982-2001 3. Someplants have only one carpel (Total number of samples that develops.These capsules are tested = 2702) generally bent, but on examination the2^(nd) 2 = 97.6% carpel can be seen. 3 = 0.0004% 4. On all types,flowers may coalesce 4 = 2.3% and double or triple the number of Sesacohas not developed carpels. lines with more than 2 5. On the seamlessgene plants (gs/gs) carpels. the false membranes do not form locules.These are still considered bicarpellate. (17) CAPSULE S39 = 1.96 cmAfter the plants are physiologically LENGTH FROM 10cap (All experimentalmature, take 2 capsules from five plants TEST nurseries, 1997-2011) fromthe middle of the capsule zone. On The length of the Value based on thethree capsule per leaf axil lines, one capsule from the average of aminimum of central capsule and one axillary capsule bottom of the seedthree samples of the should be taken from the same leaf axil. chamber tothe top of length taken on the The measurement is taken on the medianthe seed chamber from median capsule in a 10 capsule of single capsulelines and on the the outside of the capsule sample (unit of mediancentral capsule on three capsule capsule. The tip of the measure: cm)lines. The measurement is taken on dry capsule is not includedDistribution within Sesaco capsules because the length can shorten inthe measurement. based on 10cap test in all as much as one mm ondrydown. nurseries in 1997-2002 The 10 capsules can be sampled from(Total number of lines physiological maturity through complete tested =1,613 with 8,285 drydown without an effect on this samples) character.low = 1.3 cm; high = 4.5 cm Generally, the capsules in the middle of 1 =<1.94 cm; 2.7% the capsule zone are the longest on the 2 = <2.58 cm;67.9% plant. 3 = <3.22 cm; 27.2% COMMENTS: the length of the capsule 4 =<3.86 cm; 1.9% is dependent on the amount of moisture, 5 = >3.85 cm;0.3% fertility, and population. Higher moisture avg. = 2.44 cm, std =0.33 and fertility increase the length. Higher population decreases thelength even with adequate moisture/fertility. (18) SEED WEIGHT S39 =0.209 g See CAPSULE LENGTH FROM 10CAP PER CAPSULE FROM (All experimentalTEST (Character No. 17) for collection of 10cap TEST nurseries,1997-2011) capsules. The capsules should be dried, The weight of theseed Value based on the the seed threshed out, and the seed in a capsulefrom the average of a minimum of weighed. center of the capsule threesamples of the The 10 capsules can be sampled from zone weight of 10capsules (unit physiological maturity through complete of weight: grams)drydown without an effect on this Distribution within Sesaco character.After drydown, only capsules based on 10cap test in all with all theirseed are taken. Thus, this test nurseries in 1997-2002 cannot be done onshattering lines after (Total number of lines drydown. tested = 1,613with 8,285 Generally, the capsules in the middle of samples) the capsulezone have the highest seed low = 0.053 g; high = weight per capsule onthe plant. 0.476 g COMMENTS: see CAPSULE LENGTH 1 = <0.138 g; 1.3% FROM10CAP TEST (Character No. 17) 2 = <0.222 g; 47.6% for the effects ofenvironmental factors. 3 = <0.307 g; 50.6% 4 = <0.391 g; 1.1% 5 = >0.390g; 0.1% avg. = 0.221 g, std = 0.039 (19) CAPSULE S39 = 0.143 g SeeCAPSULE LENGTH FROM 10CAP WEIGHT PER (All experimental TEST (CharacterNo. 17) for collection of CAPSULE FROM nurseries, 1997-2011) capsules.The capsules should be dried, 10cap TEST Value based on the the seedthreshed out, and the capsules The weight of the average of a minimum ofweighed. At times the peduncle can still capsule from the center threesamples of the be attached to the capsules. The of the capsule zoneweight of 10 capsules (unit peduncles should be removed and not afterthe seed has been of measure: grams) weighed. removed Distributionwithin Sesaco The 10 capsules can be sampled from based on 10cap test inall physiological maturity through complete nurseries in 1997-2002drydown without an effect on this (Total number of lines character.tested = 1,613 with 8,285 Generally, the capsules in the middle ofsamples) the capsule zone have the highest capsule low = 0.059 g; high =weight per capsule on the plant. 0.395 g COMMENTS: see CAPSULE LENGTH 1= <0.126 g; 22.6% FROM 10CAP TEST (Character No. 17) 2 = <0.193 g; 69.1%for the effects of environmental factors. 3 = <0.261 g; 8.2% 4 = <0.328g; 0.9% 5 = >0.327 g; 0.6% avg. = 0.152 g, std = 0.036 (20) CAPSULE S39= 0.073 g The weight is derived by dividing the WEIGHT PER CM OF (Allexperimental CAPSULE WEIGHT PER CAPSULE CAPSULE nurseries, 1997-2011)FROM 10CAP TEST (Character No. 19) The weight of a capsule Value basedon the by the CAPSULE LENGTH FROM 10CAP per cm of capsule from averageof a minimum of TEST (Character No. 17). the center of the three samplesof the The 10 capsules can be sampled from capsule zone weight per cm of10 physiological maturity through complete capsules (unit of measure:drydown without an effect on this grams) character. Distribution withinSesaco COMMENTS: this character is used based on 10cap test in allinstead of capsule width. Capsule width is nurseries in 1997-2002difficult to measure because there are so (Total number of lines manyvariables in a capsule. In a tested = 1,613 with 8,285 bicarpellatecapsule, the width differs when samples) measuring across one carpel orboth low = 0.027 g; high = carpels. Capsules can also vary through 0.123g the length of the capsule by being 1 = <0.046 g; 8.2% substantiallynarrower at the bottom, 2 = <0.065 g; 55.5% middle or top of thecapsule. In 1997, four 3 = <0.085 g; 36.5% widths were measured on eachcapsule 4 = <0.104 g; 4.4% and then averaged. This average had a 5= >0.103 g; 0.5% very high correlation to the capsule weight avg. =0.063 g; std = 0.012 per cm of capsule. See CAPSULE LENGTH FROM 10CAPTEST (Character No. 17) for effects of environmental factors (21) VISUALSEED S39 = I This rating is used for plants that are RETENTION (Allcrops, all nurseries) being selected for advanced testing Amount of seedin most Subjective rating based on whether individually or in a bulkwith all the of the capsules in the the following values: plants havingthe same level of seed middle half of the X = <50% seed retentionretention. capsule zone when the (unsuitable for direct Most “X” plantscan be identified from plant(s) are dry enough harvest) the firstcapsule that dries since the seed for direct harvest with a C = 50-74%seed will begin falling out immediately. combine retention (unsuitablefor A “C” (close to V) plant will have some direct harvest, but maycapsules with seed and some without. segregate V or above in A “V”(visual shatter resistance) plant future generations) can be identifiedwhen the first 50% of the V = >74% seed retention capsules have dried,but a “V+” rating (sufficient seed retention should not be used untilthe complete plant for 10cap testing) is dry and most of the capsulesare W = >74% seed retention showing seed retention. on weathering infield after Some “V” plants can be upgraded to rains and/or winds “W”after the dry capsules have been I = in using the “drum subjected toweather (rain and/or wind) test” the seed in the “V” and “W” becomenon-dehiscent only capsules do not rattle and after 10cap testing withabout an 80% >85% of the capsules on passing rate. 10cap testing is doneon “I” the plant(s) harvested selections have had about a 99% passinghave visible seed in the rate. tips of the capsules four or The “drumtest” consists of placing the more weeks after the ideal fingers fromone hand about ½ inch from harvest time. The “I” the center of the mainstem and then rating is used for all of the striking the stemalternately with one finger capsules on the plant. and then the otherfinger in rapid ‘+’ and ‘−’ modifiers can succession. The human ear canperceive be used. degree of rattling over a range. IND is defined ashaving no rattle. Degree of rattle in this test correlates with loss ofincreasing amounts of seed as capsules are exposed to weatherconditions. COMMENTS: the ratings above should be made under normalconditions (600 mm of annual rainfall and 30 kg/ha of nitrogen) throughhigh moisture/fertility conditions. In drought or very low fertilityconditions, it has been observed that there is less seed retention. Inaddition, high populations may lead to low moisture or fertility causingless seed retention. If unusual environmental conditions are present,the effects should be taken into consideration prior to rating. (22)SHAKER S39 = 65.7% See CAPSULE LENGTH FROM 10CAP SHATTER (Allexperimental TEST (Character No. 17) for collection of RESISTANCE FROMnurseries, 1997-2011) capsules. The capsules should be dried 10cap TESTValue based on the and inverted. The capsules and any seed The amount ofseed average of a minimum of that has fallen out should then be placedin retention after the three samples of the flasks on a reciprocalshaker with a 3.8 cm capsules are dry, percentage of seed stroke with250 strokes/min for 10 minutes inverted, and put retained in 10 capsules(see U.S. Pat. No. 6,100,452). The seed through a shaker (10 (unit ofmeasure: Actual that comes out of the capsules should be capsule sample)Number expressed as weighed as ‘out seed.’ The retained seed percentage)should be threshed out of the capsules Distribution within Sesaco andweighed to compute the ‘total seed’. based on 10cap test in all Theshaker shatter resistance is computed nurseries in 1997-2002 as apercentage as follows: (total seed − (Total number of lines outseed)/total seed. tested = 1,613 with 8,285 The 10 capsules can besampled from samples) physiological maturity through complete low = 0;high = 100 drydown without an effect on this character 1 = <20; 12.9%for shatter resistant types. When taking 2 = <40; 6.9% capsules afterdrydown, only capsules with 3 = <60; 23.4% all their seed are taken.Thus, this test 4 = <80; 47.7% cannot be done on shattering lines after5 = >79.9; 9.2% drydown. avg. = 55.9%, std = 23.9 COMMENTS: The ratingsabove should be made under normal conditions through highmoisture/fertility conditions. In drought or very low fertilityconditions, it has been observed that there is less seed retention. Inadditions, high populations may lead to low moisture or fertilitycausing there to be less seed retention. If unusual environmentalconditions are present, the effects should be taken into considerationprior to rating. Lines with shaker shatter resistance >64.9% are knownas non-dehiscent lines (see U.S. Pat. No. 6,100,452). (23) CAPSULE S39 =SR The rating is based on visual SHATTERING TYPE (All crops, allnurseries) observations as to seed retention as the Amount of seedSubjective rating based on plants remain standing in the field withoutretention in a line or the following values: shocking. plant SUS =Super-shattering GS plants can be identified while the (<2 visual seedretention - plant is putting on capsules or at drydown equates to <25%)because the carpels in the capsules do not SHA = Shattering (<4 formfalse membranes. There are plants visual seed retention - that will havecapsules with false equates to <50%) membranes on the lower and uppernodes SSH = Semi-shattering (4-6 but most of the capsules show no falsevisual seed retention - membranes. equates to 50 to 75%) ID plants canbe identified during the SR = Shatter resistant (a growing season inthat they have enations numeric rating >6 visual on the bottoms of theleaves. At drydown seed retention without id they are more difficult todistinguish from or gs alleles - equates to other lines that have closedcapsules >75%; an alphabetical (other than GS). There is less of asuture rating of V, W, or I) than other capsule types. ID = IndehiscentSUS, SHA, SSH, and SR are defined by (presence of id/id with VISUAL SEEDRETENTION (Character capsule closed) No. 21). IDO = IndehiscentCOMMENTS: Most environmental (presence of id/id with factors do not havemuch of an effect on capsule open at tip) capsule shattering type otherthan to make GS = Seamless it more difficult to distinguish in theoverlap (presence of gs/gs with zone. Generally, higher moisture, highercapsule closed) fertility, and lower populations will GSO = Seamlessdecrease the shattering a small amount - (presence of gs/gs with lessthan 10%. capsule open at tip) The wind can have a large effect indecreasing the amount of seed retention. Rain, dew and fog can alsoreduce seed retention. (24) NON-DEHISCENT S39 = ND Lines are designatedas ND only after they TEST (All crops, all nurseries) have undergone aminimum of 3 shaker A line that has passed Objective rating based onshatter resistance tests. In order to be the non-dehiscent test thefollowing values: considered an ND variety, the line must of havingshaker shatter ND = Non-dehiscent line pass the ND threshold in multiplenurseries resistance >64.9% is XX = Line that does not for multipleyears. considered an ND line pass the non-dehiscent in accordance withU.S. test Pat. No. 6,100,452. ND distribution within Sesaco based on10cap test in all nurseries in 1997-2006 (Total number of samples tested= 10,905) ND = 53.6% XX = 46.4% (25) IMPROVED NON- S39 = NT This ratingis used for a plot or field that DEHISCENT VISUAL (Uvalde nursery, 2011)is being evaluated. RATING S39 = 7.0 The data is taken four or moreweeks Amount of seed in most (Lorenzo nursery^(c), 2010) after the idealharvest time. See DAYS of the capsules in the Value based on the TODIRECT HARVEST (Character No. plants in a plot four or average of aminimum of 30). Estimate the percentage of capsules more weeks after thethree plots of a subjective that have visible seed at the top. In theideal harvest time. rating based on the beginning in order to develop aneye for percentage of capsules the rating, the evaluator should observeall with visible seed retention of the capsules and rate each of them;get 8 <100% a count of those with visible seeds and a 7 <85% count oftotal capsules; and compute a 6 <70% percentage. Once the evaluator isskilled, 5 >55% there is no need to count the capsules. Z <55% There isa very high correlation between ‘*’, ‘+’, and ‘−’ modifiers this ratingupon visual evaluation and the can be used. For amount of rattlinggenerated by the “drum averages, 0.5 is added for test” defined above. a‘*’, 0.33 is added for a Although retention can vary from plant ‘+’, and0.33 is subtracted to plant and even within a plant, the overall for a‘−’, e.g., “7+” = 7.33. rating is correlatable with IND. (Total numberof lines In crossing between lines, in early tested = 288 with 801generations there is a segregation of IND samples in 2006) plants andnon-IND plants. In this case low = 2.97; high = 7.33 the plot is given arating of the majority of 1 = <6.0; 2.1% plants while the plantsselected can have a 2 = <6.5; 20.8% higher rating, which is reflected inVISUAL 3 = <7.0; 13.2% SEED RETENTION. The ratings that are 4 = <7.5;63.9% cited in this character are for plots, but 5 = >7.5; 0% ratings of7 or 8 are only given if over 90% avg. = 6.77, std = 0.54 of the plantshave the higher rating. Note: The percentage of lines between 7.0 and7.6 is very high because Sesaco has established a new threshold for anew variety of IND>6.9 and only lines that are IND or segregating INDare rated. (26) IMPROVED NON- S39 = IND Varieties were designated as INDafter DEHISCENCE TEST (All crops, all nurseries) they demonstrated thedefined An ND line that passes Subjective rating based oncharacteristics with statistically significant the rattle test and has athe following values: data. visual IND rating >6.99 IND = Improved Non-is considered IND. A dehiscent line method for traditional ZZ = Linethat does not breeding of an IND line pass the improved non- isdescribed in U.S. dehiscent test Pat. No. 8,080,707. ND Distributionwithin Sesaco and IND lines should based on visual IND (Total not haveid or gs number of lines tested = alleles. 1,934 in all nurseries from2005 to 2007) IND = 9.5% ZZ = 90.5% (27) DAYS TO S39 = 46 days Thevegetative phase in sesame is from FLOWERING (Uvalde nursery, 2011) thetime of planting to the start of Number of days from Value based on theflowering. planting until 50% of the average of a minimum of This datais taken as a date and later plants are flowering three plots of thenumber converted to number of days. Flowering is of days (unit ofmeasure: defined as flowers that are open - not days) buds. Distributionwithin Sesaco COMMENTS: flowering can be based on lines in Uvaldeaccelerated by drought and it can be nursery in 2000-2001 delayed byhigher moisture and/or fertility. (Total number of samples Higher heatunits will decrease the days to tested = 1831) flowering. low = 33 days;high = 89 Some lines are photosensitive and will days only beginflowering at a certain number of 1 = <44.2 days; 87.9% hours ofdaylight. 2 = <55.4 days; 7.8% Start of flowering does not always 3 =<66.6 days; 2.4% equate to start of capsule formation. Many 4 = <77.8days; 1.7% lines will flower and not set capsules from 5 = >77.7 days;0.2% the first flowers. avg. = 40.9 days, std = 6.3 (28) DAYS TO S39 =78 days The reproductive phase of sesame is FLOWER (Uvalde nursery,2011) from the start to the end of flowering. TERMINATION Value based onthe This data is taken as a date and later Number of days from averageof a minimum of converted to number of days. Flowering is planting until90% of the three plots of the number defined as flowers that are open -not plants have stopped of days (unit of measure: buds. At the end ofthe flowering period, flowering days) the rate that a plant puts on openflowers Distribution within Sesaco is reduced. Thus, there can be morethan based on lines in Uvalde 10% of plants with buds and still havenursery in 2000-2001 reached this measure since there will not (Totalnumber of samples be more than 10% with open flowers on tested = 2668)any one day. low = 61 days; high = 114 The measure is based on thenumber of days plants and not the number of flowering 1 = <71.6 days;21.1% heads. The branches will stop flowering 2 = <82.2 days; 61.5%before the main stem, and thus the plot will 3 = <92.8 days; 15.9%appear like there are more plants not 4 = <103.4 days; 0.8% flowering. 5= >103.3 days; 0.8% COMMENTS: flower termination can avg. = 77.1 days,std = 6.9 be accelerated by lower moisture and/or fertility, and it canbe delayed by higher moisture and/or fertility. Higher heat units willdecrease the DAYS TO FLOWER TERMINATION. It is known that there arelines that stop flowering sooner than expected in northern latitudes,but it is not known if this is due to a shorter photoperiod or cooltemperatures. (29) DAYS TO S39 = 107 days The ripening phase of sesameis from PHYSIOLOGICAL (Uvalde nursery, 2011) the end of flowering untilphysiological MATURITY Value based on the maturity. Number of days fromaverage of a minimum of This data is taken as a date and later plantinguntil 50% of the three plots of the number converted to number of days.Physiological plants reach of days (unit of measure: maturity (PM) isdefined as the point at, physiological maturity days) which ¾ of thecapsules have seed with Distribution within Sesaco final color. In mostlines, the seed will also based on lines in Uvalde have a seed line andtip that are dark. nursery in 2000-2001 COMMENTS: The concept of (Totalnumber of samples physiological maturity in sesame was tested = 2374)developed by M. L. Kinman (personal low = 77 days; high = 140communication) based on the concept of days determining the optimum timeto cut a 1 = <89.6 days; 16.8% plant and still harvest 95-99% of the 2 =<102.2 days; 58.0% potential yield. When the seed has final 3 = <114.8days; 23.6% color, the seed can germinate under the 4 = <127.4 days;1.4% proper conditions. If the plant is cut at 5 = >127.3 days; 0.2%physiological maturity, most of the seed avg. = 97.1 days, std = 7.1above the ¾ mark will go to final color and are mature enough togerminate, but will not have as much seed weight. Since in even a fullymature plant, there is less seed weight made at the top of the plant,this loss of seed weight does not seriously affect the potential seedweight of the plant. Although present harvest methods let the plantsmature and go to complete drydown, PM is important because after thatpoint, the crop is less susceptible to yield loss due to frost ordisease. The PM is also important if the crop is to be swathed orharvest aids are to be applied. Physiological maturity can beaccelerated by lower moisture and/or fertility, and it can be delayed byhigher moisture and/or fertility. Higher heat units will decrease thedays to physiological maturity. Cool weather can delay physiologicalmaturity. (30) DAYS TO DIRECT S39 = NT The drying phase of sesame isfrom HARVEST Value based on the physiological maturity until directharvest. Number of days from average of a minimum of This data is takenas a date and later planting until there is three plots of the numberconverted to number of days. Direct enough drydown for of days (unit ofmeasure: harvest is defined as the date at which the direct harvestdays) plants are dry enough for combining seed Distribution withinSesaco at 6% or less moisture. Over 99% of the based on lines in allsesame in the world is harvested by hand nurseries from 2004 before theplant completely dries down. through 2006 The plants should be dry belowwhere (Total number of samples the cutter bar of the combine will hitthe tested = 1,998) plants. In many lines, 15-20 cm from the low = 103days; high = 161 ground can be green without an effect on days themoisture of the seed. In taking the 1 = <114.6 days; 3.3% data on aplot, the plants at the aisle have 2 = <126.2 days; 13.3% more moistureand fertility available and 3 = <137.8 days; 32.1% will drydown later.The same is true for 4 = <149.4 days; 44.2% plants within the plot thathave a gap of 5 = >149.3 days; 7.2% half a meter between plants. Theseplants avg. = 136.7 days, std = should be disregarded in taking thedata. 10.3 In addition, there are few farmer fields that dry downuniformly because of varying soils and moisture. There is a certainamount of green that can be combined and still attain the propermoisture. The amount of green allowable is also dependent on thehumidity at the day of combining - the lower the humidity the higher theamount of allowable green. COMMENTS: This date is the most variable inthe number of days that define the phenology of sesame because weatheris so important. In dry years with little rainfall, the plants will runout of moisture sooner and will dry down faster than in years with morerainfall. Fields that are irrigated by pivots will generally dry downfaster than fields with flood or furrow irrigation because pivots do notprovide deep moisture. Fields with less fertility will drydown fasterthan fields with high fertility. Fields with high populations will drydown faster than fields with low populations. In low moisture situationslines with a strong taproot will dry down later than lines with mostlyshallow fibrous roots. (31) LODGING S39 = NT The data is taken afterphysiological TOLERANCE Average of a minimum of maturity (see DAYS TOPHYSIOLOGICAL The amount of lodging three plots of a subjectiveMATURITY - Character No. 29) and rating based on the before directharvest (see DAYS TO following values: DIRECT HARVEST - Character No.30). 0 to 8 rating Lodging that occurs after direct harvest in 8 = nolodging nurseries would not be a factor in 7 = Less than 5% of plantscommercial sesame. lodged There are three types of lodging: where 4 =50% of plants lodged the plants break at the stem, where the 1 = Allplants lodged plants bend over but do not break, and Intermediate valuesare where the plants uproot and bend over. used. When a plant breaksover, it will rarely Distribution within Sesaco produce any new seed,and the existing based on lines in Uvalde seed may or may not mature. Ifthere is a and Lorenzo nurseries in total break, there is no hope, butif there is 2007 still some active stem translocation (Total number ofsamples through the break, there can be some yield tested = 1061)recovery. The main causes for uprooting low = 1.0; high = 8.0 of plantsare shallow root systems and 1 = <2.4; 3.1% fields that have just beenirrigated, creating 2 = <3.8; 6.9% a soft layer of soil. When a plantbends 3 = <5.2; 22.6% over early in development, some lines 4 = <6.6;18.9% adapt better than others in terms of having 5 = >8.0; 48.4% themain stems turn up and continue avg. = 6.1, std = 1.7 flowering. Thetips of the branches are usually matted under the canopy and will rarelyturn up, but new branches can develop. As the plants go to drydown andthe weight of the moisture is lost, many of the bent plants willstraighten up making the crop easier to combine. COMMENTS: The majorcause of lodging is the wind. In areas where there are constant windssuch as in Oklahoma and northern Texas, the plants adjust by adding morelignin to the stems. It takes a stronger wind to cause lodging than inthose areas where there are normally only breezes (unless there is astrong front or thunderstorm that passes through). In areas with moreroot rot, the stems are weak and it takes little wind to lodge theplants. (32) SEED COLOR S39 = BF This data is taken in the laboratorywith The color of the seed (All crops, all nurseries) the same lightingfor all samples. The seed coat Subjective rating based on from the wholeplant is used. the following values: Seed coat color is taken on matureWH = White seeds. If there is any abnormal BF = Buff termination, thecolors are not quite as TN = Tan even. The color of immature seedvaries. LBR = Light brown Usually light seeded lines have tan to lightGO = Gold brown immature seed; tan, light brown, LGR = Light gray gold,brown, light gray, and gray lines have GR = Gray lighter immature seed;black lines can BR = Brown have tan, brown, or gray immature seed. RBR =Reddish brown Usually; moisture, fertility, population BL = Black andlight intensity do not have an effect on Distribution within Sesaco seedcoat color. Light colored seeds in a based on seed harvested drought mayhave a yellowish tinge. Seeds in all nurseries in 1982-2001 in somelines in the tan, light brown and (Total number of gold range can changefrom year to year samples tested = 161,809) among themselves. WH = 0.8%BF = 74.8% TN = 9.0% LBR = 1.4% GO = 1.5% LGR = 0.6% GR = 1.4% BR = 6.5%RBR = 0.6% BL = 3.5% (33) SEED WEIGHT - S39 = 0.297 g Plants that arebeing carried further in 100 SEEDS FROM (All experimental research areselected individually or in THE ENTIRE PLANT nurseries, 1997-2012) bulk.The seed is then threshed and Weight of 100 seeds Value based on thecleaned. Count out 100 seeds and weigh. taken from the entire average ofa minimum of The seed must be dry. plant. three samples of the COMMENTS:The weight increases weight of 100 seeds from with highermoisture/fertility. Generally, the 10 capsules (unit of the weight ofthe seed from the whole plant weight: grams) is lighter than the seedweight taken from Distribution within Sesaco the 10cap test. In previouspatents, the based on stable lines in all seed size was determined fromthe middle nurseries in 1997-2002 of the main stem using the seed fromthe (Total number of lines 10cap test samples. The change has tested =820 with 2,899 been made since the seed from the entire samples) plantis a better reflection of the size of the low = 0.200 g; high = seeddelivered to processors. 0.455 g 1 = <0.251 g; 10.1% 2 = <0.302 g; 48.4%3 = <0.353 g; 34.0% 4 = <0.404 g; 7.2% 5 = >0.403 g; 0.2% avg. = 0.298g, std = 0.04 (34) COMPOSITE KILL S39 = 6.7 On the week a plot reachesPM, a TOLERANCE (All nurseries, 2011-2013) rating is assigned. Theratings are then The amount of plants Average of a minimum of taken for2 additional weeks. The three killed by root rots in the three plots ofa subjective ratings are averaged for a final kill rating. Sesaconurseries rating based on the For example, if a plot has a final kill of766, following values: Ratings the average for the plot will be 6.33.When are based on the number a value of 1 or 2 is assigned, there are noof plants killed in a plot. additional ratings and there is no Beforephysiological averaging. maturity (PM), the There are three rootdiseases that affect following ratings are used: sesame in Texas:Fusarium oxysporum, 1 = >90% kill before DAYS Macrophomina phaseoli, andPhytophthora TO FLOWERING parasitica. Between 1988 and the present,TERMINATION (Character spores of these three have been No. 28)accumulated in one small area (1 square 2 = >90% kill between km) northof Uvalde, and thus it is an DAYS TO FLOWERING excellent screening areafor the diseases. TERMINATION (Character Although each root rot diseaseattacks No. 28) and DAYS TO sesame in a different way and may resultPHYSIOLOGICAL in different symptoms, no effort is made to MATURITY(Character No. definitively determine which disease is the 29)etiological agent for the affected plants. After PM, the followingPathological screenings in the past have ratings are used: found all 3pathogens present in dead 3 = >90% kill plants. 4 = 50 to 89% killCOMMENTS: normally, the ratings will 5 = 25 to 49% kill decrease amaximum of one value per 6 = 10 to 24% kill week. There is an overlapbetween any 7 = less than 10% kill two ratings, but this is overcome toa 8 = no kill certain extent by using three ratings over 2 Distributionwithin Sesaco weeks. based on lines in Uvalde The amount of kill isusually increased nursery in 2000-2001 with any type of stress to theplants. (Total number of samples Drought can increase the amount oftested = 3045) Macrophomina; too much water can low = 1.00; high = 8.00increase the amount of Phytophthora; high 1 = <1.6; 1.7% temperaturesand humidity can increase 2 = <3.2; 16.7% the amount of Fusarium andPhytophthora. 3 = <4.8; 38.7% High population can increase all three 4 =<6.4; 31.2% diseases. 5 = >6.3; 11.6% The ratings for any one year canbe avg. = 4.52, std = 1.49 used to compare lines grown in that year, butshould not be used to compare lines grown in different years. The amountof disease in any one year is highly dependent on moisture, humidity,and temperatures. (35) TOLERANCE TO S39 = NT Ratings can be done inseveral ways: FUSARIUM WILT (F. oxysporum) Average of a minimum of 1.Take ratings after the disease is no Amount of tolerance to three plotsof a subjective longer increasing Fusarium wilt rating based on the 2.Take ratings on consecutive weeks following values: until disease is nolonger increasing and 0 to 8 scale of the average ratings. % of infectedplants 3. Take periodic ratings and average 8 = Zero disease ratings. 7= <10% infected COMMENTS: Fusarium has been a 4 = 50% infected problemin South Texas, particularly on 1 = >90% infected fields that have beenplanted with sesame 0 = all infected before. Normally, only theCOMPOSITE Intermediate values are KILL TOLERANCE (Character No. 34)used. rating is taken. NT = not tested NEC = no economic damage - notenough disease to do ratings (36) TOLERANCE TO S39 = NT See Methodologyfor TOLERANCE TO PHYTOPHTHORA Subjective rating FUSARIUM WILT (CharacterNo. 35) STEM ROT (P. parasitica) See Values for Fusarium COMMENTS:Phytophthora has been Amount of tolerance to a problem in Arizona andTexas, Phytophthora stem rot particularly on fields that have been over-irrigated. Normally, only the COMPOSITE KILL TOLERANCE (Character No.34) rating is taken. (37) TOLERANCE TO S39 = NT See Methodology forTOLERANCE TO CHARCOAL ROT Subjective rating FUSARIUM WILT (Character No.35) (Macrophomina See Values for Fusarium COMMENTS: Macrophomina hasbeen phaseoli) a problem in Arizona and Texas, Amount of tolerance toparticularly on fields that go into a drought. Charcoal rot Normally,only the COMPOSITE KILL TOLERANCE (Character No. 34) rating is taken.(38) TOLERANCE TO S39 = 7.0 See Methodology for TOLERANCE TO BACTERIALBLACK (Lorenzo nursery, 2010) FUSARIUM WILT (Character No. 35) ROT(Pseudomonas Average of a minimum of COMMENTS: This disease occurssesami) three plots of a subjective occasionally when there is continualrainy Amount of tolerance to rating based on the weather with fewclouds. In most years, bacterial black rot following values: the diseaseabates once the weather 0 to 8 scale of the changes. No economic damagehas been % of infected plants noticed. 8 = Zero disease 7 = <10%infected 4 = 50% infected 1 = >90% infected 0 = all infectedIntermediate values are used. NT = not tested NEC = no economic damage -not enough disease to do ratings Distribution within Sesaco based onlines in Uvalde nursery in 2004 (Total number of samples tested = 593)low = 4.00; high = 8.00 1 = <2.4; 0.0% 2 = <3.8; 0.0% 3 = <5.2; 8.6% 4 =<6.6; 16.0% 5 = >6.5; 75.4% avg. = 7.13, std = 1.00 (39) TOLERANCE TOS39 = 6.0 Ratings can be done in several ways: SILVERLEAF (Puerto Riconursery, 1. Take ratings after the insects are no WHITEFLY (Bemisia2012)^(d) longer increasing. argentifolii) Average of a minimum of 2.Take ratings on consecutive weeks Amount of tolerance to three plots ofa subjective until insects are no longer increasing and the silverleafwhitefly rating based on the average ratings. following values: 3. Takeperiodic ratings and average 0 to 8 scale of the ratings. % of infectedplants COMMENTS: there have been very 0 to 8 scale few years (1991-1995)where the 8 = Zero insects incidence of silverleaf whitefly has affected7 = Few insects nurseries or commercial crops. In most 4 = Many insectsyears, a few whiteflies can be seen in the 1 = Insects killing thesesame with no economic damage. plants In the middle 1990s, the USDAbegan Intermediate values are introducing natural predators of the used.silverleaf whitefly in the Uvalde area. It is NT = not tested not knownif the predators reduced the NEC = no economic effects of the whiteflyor there is a natural damage - not enough tolerance to whitefly in thecurrent insects to do ratings varieties. Higher temperatures decreasethe number of days between generations. There are indications thathigher moisture and fertility increase the incidence of whiteflies, butthere is no definitive data. The sweet potato whitefly (Bemisia tabaci)has been observed in nurseries since 1978 without any economic damage.(40) TOLERANCE TO S39 = NT See Methodology for TOLERANCE TO GREEN PEACHSubjective rating; see SILVERLEAF WHITEFLY (Character No. APHIDS (MyzusValues for Whitefly 39) persicae) Distribution within Sesaco COMMENTS:there have been very Amount of tolerance to based on lines in Uvalde fewyears (1990-1995) where the the green peach aphid nursery in 2004incidence of green peach aphid has (Total number of samples affectednurseries or commercial crops. In tested = 412) most years, a few aphidscan be seen in low = 1.00; high = 8.00 the sesame with no economicdamage. 1 = <2.4; 1.0% There have been many years in West 2 = <3.8; 0.5%Texas when the cotton aphid has 3 = <5.2; 10.7% decimated the cotton anddid not build up 4 = <6.6; 4.8% on adjacent sesame fields. 5 = >6.5;83.0% Higher moisture and fertility increase avg. = 7.04, std = 1.35 thesusceptibility to aphids. (41) TOLERANCE TO S39 = NT See Methodology forTOLERANCE TO POD BORERS Subjective rating; see SILVERLEAF WHITEFLY(Character No. (Heliothis spp.) Values for Whitefly 39) Amount oftolerance to COMMENTS: there have been very pod borers few years (1985)where the incidence of Heliothis has affected nurseries or commercialcrops. In most years, a few borers can be seen in the sesame with noeconomic damage. (42) TOLERANCE TO S39 = NT See Methodology forTOLERANCE TO ARMY WORMS Subjective rating; see SILVERLEAF WHITEFLY(Character No. (Spodoptera spp.) Values for Whitefly 39) Amount oftolerance to COMMENTS: there have been very army worms few years(1984-1987) where the incidence of Spodoptera has affected commercialcrops in Arizona. In Texas, army worms have decimated cotton and alfalfafields next to sesame without any damage to the sesame. It is not knownif the Arizona army worm is different from the Texas army worm. (43)TOLERANCE TO S39 = NT See Methodology for TOLERANCE TO CABBAGE LOOPERS(Lorenzo nursery 2007) SILVERLEAF WHITEFLY (Character No. (Pieris rapae)Subjective rating; see 39) Amount of tolerance to values for WhiteflyCOMMENTS: there have been very cabbage loopers few years (1992-1993)where the incidence of cabbage loopers has affected nurseries. Incommercial sesame, cabbage loopers have been observed with no economicdamage. (44) PRESENCE OF S39 = PY/PY In the homogygous condition. ThePYGMY ALLELES (All crops; all nurseries) pygmy allele (py) reduces theHEIGHT OF The pygmy allele is a py/py = homozygous THE PLANT (CharacterNo. 5), the new recessive gene pygmy alleles HEIGHT OF THE FIRST CAPSULEthat affects the growth PY/py = heterozygous (Character No. 6), and theAVERAGE of the sesame plant. pygmy alleles INTERNODE LENGTH WITHINCAPSULE PY/PY = normal (no ZONE (Character No. 9). In the pygmy alleles)heterozygous state, there are no Distribution within Sesaco reductionsin the characters. In a cross based on stable lines in between ahomozygous pygmy and a the collection as of 2009 normal, the pygmyallele is a recessive (Total number of lines = gene that will not showthe shorter heights 40,715) and internode lengths until segregating inpy/py = 145 the F2 generation, with no intermediates PY/py = 629 betweenthe pygmy and the normal line. A Normal = 39,941 homozygous pygmyselected in the F2, from the F3 generation on is pure in its effects onthe three characters. Within pygmy lines there are differences in the 3characters, but all of the pygmies differ from the normal lines. Thename “pygmy” was chosen because these lines are shorter than dwarf linesthat have been in the world germplasm for many years. The dwarf linesshare the same three characters, but there are intermediates in the F2generation and rarely any plants as short as the original dwarf. (45)SEED OIL S39 = 53.5% The data is taken after the seed has CONTENT(Uvalde nursery, 2010) been cleaned of all extraneous material Thepercentage of oil in 50.5% and is less than 6% moisture. the seed.(Uvalde nursery, 2011) There are two methodologies for Value based onthe determining oil content: laboratory analysis average of a minimum ofas prescribed in the procedures of the three samples of the American OilChemists' Society (AOCS) or peercentage of oil in the with a nuclearmagnetic resonance (NMR) seed (unit of measure: machine. The AOCSprocedure does not Actual number expressed remove all of the oil fromthe seed and as a percentage.) thus has a lower content than with theDistribution within Sesaco NMR procedure. The NMR procedure is based onlines in Uvalde preferred because (1) it is non-destructive nursery in2010-2011 and (2) oil processors use that procedure. (Total number ofsamples tested = 2,015) low = 36.0; high = 59.3 1 = <45; 0.8% 2 = <48;4.8% 3 = <51; 27.4% 4 = <54; 47.4% 5 = >53.9; 19.6% avg. = 51.92, std =2.52 ^(a)Uvalde nursery planted north of Uvalde, Texas (latitude 29°22′north, longitude 99°47′ west, 226 m elev) in middle to late May to earlyJune from 1988 to the present; mean rainfall is 608 mm annually with amean of 253 mm during the growing season; temperatures range from anaverage low of 3° C. and an average high of 17° C. in January to anaverage low of 22° C. and an average high of 37° C. in July. The nurserywas planted on 96 cm beds from 1988 to 1997 and on 76 cm beds from 1998to the present. The nursery was pre-irrigated and has had 2-3 post-plantirrigations depending on rainfall. The fertility has varied from 30-60units of nitrogen. ^(b)Rio Hondo nursery planted east of Rio Hondo,Texas (latitude 26°14′ north, longitude 97°34′ west, 8 m elev) in earlyApril from 2010 to the present, mean rainfall is 715 mm annually with amean of 323 mm during the growing season; temperatures range from anaverage low of 9° C. and an average high of 20° C. in January to anaverage low of 24° C. and an average high of 35° C. in July. The nurserywas planted on 81 cm beds. The nursery was rainfed. The fertility was 80units of nitrogen. ^(c)Lorenzo nursery planted southeast of Lubbock,Texas (latitude 33°40′ north, longitude 101°49′ west, 1000 m elev) inmid-June from 2004 to the present; mean rainfall is 483 mm annually witha mean of 320 mm during the growing season; temperatures range from anaverage low of −4° C. and an average high of 11° C. in January to anaverage low of 20° C. and an average high of 33° C. in July. The nurserywas planted on 101 cm beds. The nursery was rainfed. The fertility was30 units of nitrogen. ^(d)Puerto Rico nursery planted east of Ponce,Puerto Rico (latitude 18°15′ north, longitude 66°30′ west, 50 m elev) inDecember; mean rainfall is 963 mm annually with a mean of 0 mm duringthe growing season; temperatures range from an average low of 19° C. andan average high of 30° C. in January to an average low of 23° C. and anaverage high of 33° C. in July. The nursery was planted on 101 cm beds.The nursery had drip irrigation. The fertility was 60 units of nitrogen.

In developing sesame varieties for the United States, there are eightcharacters that are desirable for successful crops: SHAKER SHATTERRESISTANCE (Character No. 22), IMPROVED NON-DEHISCENT VISUAL RATING(Character No. 25), COMPOSITE KILL TOLERANCE (Character No. 34), DAYS TOPHYSIOLOGICAL MATURITY (Character No. 29), YIELD AT DRYDOWN (Character10), SEED COLOR (Character No. 32), SEED WEIGHT—100 SEEDS FROM THEENTIRE PLANT (Character No. 33), and SEED OIL CONTENT (Character No.45). The first four characters contribute to YIELD AT DRYDOWN, which isthe most important economic factor normally considered by a farmer inthe selection of a variety. The last three characters determine themarket value of the seed.

SHAKER SHATTER RESISTANCE and IMPROVED NON-DEHISCENT VISUAL RATINGdetermine how well the plants will retain the seed while they are dryingdown in adverse weather.

COMPOSITE KILL TOLERANCE determines whether the plants can finish theircycle and have the optimum seed fill.

DAYS TO PHYSIOLOGICAL MATURITY determines how far north and to whichelevation the varieties can be grown.

In improving the characters, the YIELD AT DRYDOWN has to be comparableto or better than current varieties, or provide a beneficial improvementfor a particular geographical or market niche.

In the United States and Europe, the SEED COLOR is important since over95% of the market requires white or buff seed. There are limited marketsfor gold and black seed in the Far East. All other colors can only beused in the oil market.

SEED WEIGHT—100 SEEDS FROM THE ENTIRE PLANT determines the market forthe seed. Lack of Composite kill Tolerance can reduce SEED WEIGHT—100SEEDS FROM THE ENTIRE PLANT. In parts of the United States where thereis little rain in dry years, the lack of moisture can reduce the SEEDWEIGHT—100 SEEDS FROM THE ENTIRE PLANT.

SEED OIL CONTENT determines the market for the seed. Lack of Compositekill Tolerance can reduce SEED OIL CONTENT. Low fertility in terms ofnitrogen raises SEED OIL CONTENT and high fertility lowers SEED OILCONTENT.

There are other characters important in developing commercial sesamevarieties explained in Langham, D. R. and T. Wiemers, 2002. “Progress inmechanizing sesame in the US through breeding”, In: J. Janick and A.Whipkey (ed.), Trends in new crops and new uses, ASHS Press, Alexandria,Va. BRANCHING STYLE (Character No. 1), HEIGHT OF PLANT (Character No. 5)and HEIGHT OF FIRST CAPSULE (Character No. 6) are important incombining. CAPSULE ZONE LENGTH (Character No. 7), NUMBER OF CAPSULENODES (Character No. 8), AVERAGE INTERNODE LENGTH WITHIN CAPSULE ZONE(Character No. 9), and SEED WEIGHT PER CAPSULE (Character No. 18) areimportant in creating potential YIELD AT DRYDOWN (Character No. 10).LEAF DIMENSIONS (Characters No. 12, 13, 14, and 15) are important indetermining optimum populations.

NUMBER OF CAPSULES PER LEAF AXIL (Character No. 2), NUMBER OF CARPELSPER CAPSULE (Character No. 16), CAPSULE LENGTH (Character No. 17),CAPSULE WEIGHT PER CAPSULE (Character No. 19), and CAPSULE WEIGHT PER CMOF CAPSULE (Character No. 20) are important in breeding for VISUAL SEEDRETENTION (Character No. 21) and IMPROVED NON-DEHISCENT VISUAL RATING(Character No. 25), which lead to testing for SHAKER SHATTER RESISTANCE(Character No. 22) and determining the CAPSULE SHATTERING TYPE(Character No. 23), NON-DEHISCENT TEST (Character 24) and IMPROVEDNON-DEHISCENT TEST (Character No. 26).

DAYS TO FLOWERING (Character No. 27), DAYS TO FLOWER TERMINATION(Character No. 28), DAYS TO PHYSIOLOGICAL MATURITY (Character No. 29)and MATURITY CLASS (Character No. 3) are highly correlated and importantin determining the phenology and geographical range for the variety.

DAYS TO DIRECT HARVEST (Character No. 30) is important in that once theplants reach physiological maturity there is no weather event that willincrease yield and many weather events that may substantially lower theyield. A shorter drying phase increases yield. Presently, harvest aidshave been approved by the Environmental Protection Agency for use onsesame. The harvest aids are applied at physiological maturity leadingto early drydown. The days to direct harvest is not as important as inthe past. PLANT PHENOTYPE (Character No. 4) is a summary character ofcharacters 1, 2, and 3 that allows an overall visualization of the line.

TOLERANCE TO DROUGHT (Character No. 11) may reduce yield and seedweight. Even though there was a drought in the growing areas in 2006,there has not been a drought in nurseries planted since 2000 because ofirrigation. LODGING TOLERANCE (Character No. 31) is important in yearswhen there are high winds in the growing areas. The tolerance characters(Characters No. 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, and 43) are important inreducing the losses from diseases and pests.

Over the past 37 years, Sesaco has tested 2,990 introductions from allover the world. Commercial samples have been obtained from China, India,Sudan, Ethiopia, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Mozambique, Pakistan, Myanmar,Bangladesh, Vietnam, Egypt, Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Venezuela,Thailand, Turkey, Upper Volta, Uganda, Mali, Kenya, Indonesia, SriLanka, Afghanistan, Philippines, Colombia, Ivory Coast, Gambia, Somalia,Eritrea, Paraguay, Bolivia, and El Salvador. Additional research seedhas been received from the commercial countries and from many othercountries such as Australia, Iraq, Iran, Japan, Russia, Jordan, Yemen,Syria, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Angola, Argentina, Peru, Brazil, Cambodia,Laos, Sri Lanka, Ghana, Gabon, Greece, Italy, South Korea, Libya, Nepal,Zaire, England and Tanzania. Research seed received from one country mayhave originated from another unspecified country. All of the commercialand research introductions have CAPSULE SHATTERING TYPE (Character No.23) of shattering, “SHA”.

Using selected characters from Table II, Table III provides a characterdifferentiation between S39 and name cultivars from all over the world.

TABLE III Character Differentiation of Various Sesame Varieties^(a)Character Rating Name cultivars tested by Sesaco CAPSULE SHATTERING SHAEliminate the following from the world: TYPE From Venezuela: Venezuela51, Venezuela (Character No. 23) 52, Guacara, Aceitera, Inamar,Acarigua, Morada, Capsula Larga, Arawaca, Piritu, Glauca, Turen, DV9,Fonucla, UCLA From Mexico: Pachequeno, Yori, Anna, Teras, Denisse,Canasta, Tehvantepeter From India: TMV1, TMV3 From Turkey: Ozberk,Muganli, Gamdibi, Marmara From Israel: DT45 From Guatemala: R198, R30From Paraguay: Escoba and INIA. From Texas: Llano, Margo, Dulce, Blanco,Palorna, Oro, Renner 1 and 2, Early Russian From California: UCR3, UCR4,Eva, Calinda (Cal Beauty) From Thailand: KU18 From Korea: Danback,Gwansan, Pungyiong, Suweon, Yuseong, Hanseon, Ahnsan, Kwangsan, Jinback,Pungsan, Sodan, Yangheuk, Konheuk, Whaheuck, Sungboon SSH Eliminate fromSesaco: S02, S03, S04, S05, S06, S07, S08, S09, S10, S12, S14 IDEliminate the following from the world: From Venezuela: G2, Morada idFrom Texas: Rio, Delco, Baco, Improved Baco, Roy, Eli From SouthCarolina: Palmetto From California: UCR234 From Sesaco: S01 SR Allothers, go to NON-DEHISCENT TEST NON-DEHISCENT TEST XX Eliminate, fromSesaco: S11, S15, S16, S17, (Character No. 24) S18, S19, S20, S21 ND Allothers to the SEED COLOR SEED COLOR (Character No. BL Eliminate fromSesaco: S55 32) BF All others to the IMPROVED NON- DEHISCENT TESTIMPROVED NON-DEHISCENT ZZ Eliminate from Sesaco: 11W, 19A, S22, S23,TEST (Character No. 26) S24, S25, S26, S28, S29, (all of these lines andvarieties have been disclosed in previous patents, and there are nolines or varieties that are not included.) IND go to the PRESENCE OFPYGMY ALLELES PRESENCE OF PYGMY py/py Eliminate from Sesaco: S70 ALLELES(Character No. 44) PY/PY From Sesaco: S27, S30, S32, S33, S34, S35, S36,and S38, go to BRANCHING STYLE BRANCHING STYLE U Eliminate from Sesaco:S30 and S34 (Character No. 1) B From Sesaco: S27, S32, S33, S35 S36,S37, S38, and S39 go to TABLE IV ^(a)SHA = shattering; SSH =semi-shattering; ID = indehiscent; SR = shatter resistant; XX = notnon-dehiscent according to the teachings of U.S. Pat. No. 6,100,452; ND= non-dehiscent according to the teachings of U.S. Pat. No. 6,100,452;IND = improved non-dehiscent according to the teachings of U.S. Pat. No.8,080,707, py/py = presence of homozygous pygmy alleles; PY/PY = absenceof pygmy alleles according to the teachings of U.S. Pat. Publication No.2011/0271359: U = unbranched; B = branched

Table III differentiates S39 from all other cultivars and varietiesexcept S27, S32, S33, S35, S36, S37, and S38. Table IV providesadditional data that separates S39 from S27, S32, S33, S35, S36, S37,and S38.

TABLE IV Character Comparison of S39 to S27, S32, S33, S35, S36, S37,and S38 No. Character Year/nursery S27 S32 S33 S35 S36 S37 S38 S39 10YIELD AT DRYDOWN 2013 NEW NT 1,109 1,378 1,261 1,416 1,490 1,388 1,539(kg/ha) 17 CAPSULE LENGTH (cm) 1997-2011 2.18 2.14 2.09 2.20 2.19 2.102.31 1.96 22 SHAKER SHATTER 1997-2011 73.4 74.8 83.4 71.1 77.6 71.1 81.665.7 RESISTANCE (%)

The essential difference between S39 and the other branched varieties isthe CAPSULE LENGTH AND THE SHAKER SHATTER RESISTANCE. S39 has a shorterCAPSULE LENGTH and as a result S39 has a lower SHAKER SHATTERRESISTANCE. S39 also has the highest yield at drydown which was a repeatfrom 2012. The increased yield was the main reason S39 became a varietysuitable for the Valley along the Rio Grande at the lower tip of Texas.

Table V shows all the characters from Table II for S39 and the currentbranched varieties S28, S32, S35, S36, S37, and S38. The table is interms of all of the characters listed in Table II. The major differencesin Table V are indicated in the “Dif” column by a “C” for commerciallyimportant differences and an “M” for morphological differences.

TABLE V Character Comparison of S28, S32, S35, S36, S37, S38, andS39^(a) No. Character Year/nursery S28 S32 S35 S36 S37 S38 S39 Dif 1Branching Style All B B B B B B B 2 Number of Capsules All 1 1 1 1 1 1 1per Leaf Axil 3 Maturity Class Adjusted PM 100 99 100 101 103 103 992008-2013 UV M M M M M M M 4 Plant Phenotype All B1M B1M B1M B1M B1M B1MB1M 5 Height of Plant (cm) 2013 UV 126 120 120 129 141 126 135 6 Heightof First 2013 UV 51 51 42 54 57 69 54 Capsule (cm) 7 Capsule Zone 2013UV 75 69 78 75 84 57 81 Length (cm) 8 Number of Capsule 2013 UV 27 29 2833 28 32 28 Node pairs 9 Average Internode 2013 UV 2.8 2.4 2.8 3.3 3.01.7 3.0 Length within Capsule Zone (cm) 10 Yield at Drydown 2013 UV1,504 1,485 1,647 1,570 1,664 1,487 1,347 (kg/ha) 2013 RH 1,265 1,1091,261 1,416 1,490 1,388 1,539 C 11 Tolerance to NT NT NT NT NT NT NTDrought 12 Leaf Length  5^(th)-2008 UV 23.0 25.5 NT NT NT NT NT (cm)10^(th)-2008 UV 18.0 18.3 NT NT NT NT NT 15^(th-)2008 UV 13.7 14.1 NT NTNT NT NT 13 Leaf Blade Length  5^(th)-2008 UV 13.8 14.8 NT NT NT NT NT(cm) 10^(th)-2008 UV 14.4 14.7 NT NT NT NT NT 15^(th-)2008 UV 11.5 12.2NT NT NT NT NT 14 Leaf Blade Width  5^(th)-2008 UV 18.0 13.8 NT NT NT NTNT (cm) 10^(th)-2008 UV 3.6 3.0 NT NT NT NT NT 15^(th-)2008 UV 2.0 1.6NT NT NT NT NT 15 Petiole Length  5^(th)-2008 UV 9.2 10.7 NT NT NT NT NT(cm) 10^(th)-2008 UV 3.6 3.6 NT NT NT NT NT 15^(th-)2008 UV 2.3 2.0 NTNT NT NT NT 16 Number of Carpels All 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 per Capsule 17Capsule Length 1997-2011 All 2.27 2.14 2.20 2.19 2.10 2.31 1.96 M (cm)18 Seed Weight per 1997-2011 All 0.228 0.219 0.197 0.228 0.225 0.2440.209 Capsule (g) 19 Capsule Weight per 1997-2011 All 0.163 0.148 0.1280.153 0.156 0.167 0.143 Capsule (g) 20 Capsule Weight per 1997-2011 All0.072 0.069 0.058 0.070 0.074 0.072 0.073 cm of Capsule (g) 21 VisualShatter All W I I I I I I Resistance 22 Shaker Shatter 1997-2011 All75.2 74.8 71.1 77.6 71.1 81.6 65.7 C Resistance (%) 23 CapsuleShattering All SR SR SR SR SR SR SR Type 24 Non-dehiscent Test All ND NDND ND ND ND ND 25 Improved Non- 2011 UV 7.08 7.44 7.37 7.29 7.33 NTdehiscent visual 2011 LO 6.67 7.00 7.48 7.25 7.22 7.22 7.00 rating 26Improved Non- All ZZ IND IND IND IND IND IND dehiscent Test 27 Days toFlowering 2011 UV 45 42 43 45 43 45 46 28 Days to Flower 2011 UV 78 7878 80 81 80 78 Termination 29 Days to 2011 UV 102 100 97 101 103 101 107Physiological Maturity 30 Days to Direct NT NT NT NT NT NT NT Harvest 31Lodging Tolerance 2007 UV 7.0 6.2 NT NT NT NT NT 2007 LO 5.3 7.1 NT NTNT NT NT 32 Seed Color All BF BF BF BF BF BF BF 33 Seed Weight-1001997-2012 All 0.293 0.284 0.302 0.315 0.284 0.305 0.297 Seeds from theentire plant 34 Composite Kill 2011-2013 All 7.0 6.5 6.8 6.6 6.3 60 67Tolerance 35 Tolerance to NT NT NT NT NT NT NT Fusarium Wilt (F.oxysporurn) 36 Tolerance to NT NT NT NT NT NT NT Phytophthora Stem Rot(P. parasitica) 37 Tolerance to NT NT NT NT NT NT NT Charcoal Rot(Macrophomina phaseoli) 38 Tolerance to 2010 LO 7.0 7.0 7.0 5.0 6.3 5.37.0 Bacterial Black Rot (Pseudomonas sesami) 39 Tolerance to 2011 PR 5.05.0 5.7 4.0 4.0 NT 6.0 Silverleaf Whitefly (Bemisia argentifolii) 40Tolerance to Green 2004 UV 7.9 5.5 NT NT NT NT NT Peach Aphid (Myzuspersica) 41 Tolerance to Pod 2001 UV NT NT NT NT NT NT NT Borer(Heliothis spp.) 42 Tolerance to Army NT NT NT NT NT NT NT Worms(Spodoptera spp.) 43 Tolerance to 2007 LO NT NEC NT NT NT NT NT CabbageLoopers (Pieris rapae) 44 Presence of pygmy All PY/ PY/ PY/ PY/ PY/ PY/PY/ alleles PY PY PY PY PY PY PY 45 Oil content (%) 2010 UV 52.9 52.451.7 53.5 53.2 53.1 53.5 2011 UV 52.0 53.7 54.1 53.5 51.9 52.5 50.5^(a)B = true branches; U = uniculm (no true branches); UV = Uvaldenursery; M = medium maturity class of 95-104 days; B1M = phenotype oftrue branches, single capsules per leaf axil, and medium maturity classof 95-104 days; U1M = phenotype of uniculm, single capsules per leafaxil, and medium maturity class of 95-104 days; LO = Lorenzo nursery; NT= not tested; W = weather visual seed retention >75%; SR = shatterresistant; ND = non-dehiscent; ZZ = not improved non-dehiscent; IND =improved non-dehiscent; BF = buff color; and NEC = no economicdamage-not enough disease or insects to do ratings; PY/PY = absence ofpygmy alleles.

As stated earlier, in developing sesame varieties for the United States,there are eight important characters: SHAKER SHATTER RESISTANCE(Character No. 22), IMPROVED NON-DEHISCENT VISUAL RATING (Character No.25), COMPOSITE KILL TOLERANCE (Character No. 34), DAYS TO PHYSIOLOGICALMATURITY (Character No. 29), YIELD AT DRYDOWN (Character No. 10), SEEDCOLOR (Character No. 32), SEED WEIGHT—100 SEEDS FROM ENTIRE PLANT(Character No. 33), and SEED OIL CONTENT (Character No. 45). Thesecharacters will be discussed first comparing S39 to Sesaco varieties(S28, S30, S32, S34, S35, S36, S37, and S38, which are the currentvarieties used in the United States), followed by other characters thatdifferentiate S39. The data is based on planting the varieties side byside with five replications in Uvalde, one in Rio Hondo, and two inLorenzo.

FIG. 2 provides the SHAKER SHATTER RESISTANCE (Character No. 22) ofvarious Sesaco sesame varieties using data from 1997 through 2011.SHAKER Shatter RESISTANCE represents the amount of seed that is retainedby the plant several months after being dry in the field. This standardwas developed as a minimum standard in 1997-1998 and has proven to be agood predictor of shatter resistance. All varieties have SHAKER SHATTERRESISTANCE in the mid-sixty to mid-eighty percent level.

S39 has 65.7% SHAKER SHATTER RESISTANCE, which is above the 65%threshold established in U.S. Pat. No. 6,100,452 to qualify S39 as anon-dehiscent variety.

FIG. 3 provides the IMPROVED NON-DEHISCENT VISUAL RATING (Character No.25) of the current varieties (data from Uvalde and Lorenzo nurseries,2011). When the plants have reached DAYS TO DIRECT HARVEST (CharacterNo. 30), the plants are holding more than the seed represented by theSHAKER SHATTER RESISTANCE percentage. If there is no rain, fog, dew, orwind during the drying phase, the non-dehiscent plants will be retainingalmost all of their seed for the combine. However, the predominantweather in the harvest season in the United States includes rain, fog,dew, and wind. The IMPROVED NON-DEHISCENT VISUAL RATING sets a newbenchmark for selecting varieties based on a rating done 4 weeks afterDAYS TO DIRECT HARVEST (the ideal harvest time).

S39 exhibited an IMPROVED NON-DEHISCENT VISUAL RATING of 7.0 (data fromthe Lorenzo nursery, 2011) which is at the 7.0 threshold established inU.S. Pat. No. 8,080,707 to qualify S39 as an improved non-dehiscentvariety.

FIG. 4 provides the COMPOSITE KILL TOLERANCE (Character No. 34) of thecurrent varieties (data from all nurseries, 2011-2013). COMPOSITE KILLTOLERANCE is a composite rating of tolerance to three root rots:Fusarium, Phytophthora, and Macrophomina. In most years, Fusarium is themajor cause of kill. When sesame is first introduced into a growingarea, there are few disease problems, but over time the spores of thesefungi accumulate and disease tolerance becomes important. When sesamewas first introduced in Uvalde in 1988, the yields were high. As farmersplanted on the same fields in subsequent years, the yields decreased.

S39 has a rating of 6.7 for COMPOSITE KILL TOLERANCE (data from allnurseries, 2011-2013) and is comparable to most of the other patentedcommercial varieties. Any rating above 5.67 indicates that over 90% ofthe plants produced good seed to the top of the plant.

FIG. 5 provides the mean DAYS TO PHYSIOLOGICAL MATURITY (Character No.29) of the current Sesaco sesame varieties (data from Uvalde nursery,2011). In the United States, sesame is currently grown from South Texasto Central Kansas. The growing window of a crop is determined by theearliest the crop can be planted in the spring as the ground warms up,and the onset of cold weather in the fall. Current sesame varietiesrequire about 21° C. ground temperature to establish an adequatepopulation and night temperatures above 5° C. for normal termination.Generally, the ground is warm enough in South Texas in middle March andin Central Kansas in late May, and the night temperatures are warmenough in South Texas until the middle of November and in southernKansas until the middle of October. The states to the east fromTexas/Oklahoma/Kansas to the Atlantic are within the South Texas andKansas extremes. Cold fronts may affect the growth of sesame, and theseare more likely in northern growing areas from the middle of Septemberon. Elevation may also affect the growing temperature. For example,moving from east of Lubbock, Tex., at the start of the Caprock towardthe west, the elevations begin climbing approaching toward the RockyMountains. The higher the elevation, the earlier the onset of fall coldtemperatures and the later the onset of spring warm temperatures. In allyears, if the sesame is planted as early as temperatures allow, lineswith DAYS TO PHYSIOLOGICAL MATURITY of 105 days or less will not beadversely affected by the temperatures, even in years with an earlyfrost. Data gathered over a twenty-three year period indicates thatabout 96% of the time, sesame with a value of 115 or less DAYS TOPHYSIOLOGICAL MATURITY will produce a crop. Since most growing areasdepend upon having a planting rain before the sesame is planted, theearlier the DAYS TO PHYSIOLOGICAL MATURITY of the variety, the moreflexibility the farmers have with the planting date. Differentgeographical areas may have different goals due to the normal weatherpatterns. In South Texas, varieties with DAYS TO PHYSIOLOGICAL MATURITYof less than 110 days are generally suitable, while planting after 30June in southern Kansas it is preferred, but not always necessary, toutilize varieties with lower DAYS TO PHYSIOLOGICAL MATURITY such as 100days or less.

The mean DAYS TO PHYSIOLOGICAL MATURITY for S39 is 107, which allows itto be planted from south of Oklahoma border and east of the TexasCaprock to the Atlantic. Care should be taken in areas where earlyfreezes may occur to plant S39 in at a time where it willphysiologically mature prior to expected freezes.

FIG. 6 provides the mean YIELD AT DRYDOWN (Character 10) of the patentedvarieties (testing in the Uvalde and Rio Hondo nurseries in 2013). Inreleasing a new variety, another important consideration is whether theyields will be comparable or better than the existing varieties.

The yield of S39 is expected to be comparable to that of prior varietiesunder typical growing conditions as reported in FIG. 6. In the Rio Hondoarea, the yields of S39 from 2011-2013 were the highest of all thevarieties, and thus, S39 is the primary variety that will be grown inthat areas.

The SEED COLOR (Character No. 32) of S39 is buff, which is suitable formost of the U.S. and world markets.

FIG. 7 provides the mean SEED WEIGHT—100 SEEDS FROM THE ENTIRE PLANT(Character No. 33) of the current varieties between 1997 and 2011. Aparticular seed weight may be a characteristic desired by certain seedprocessors and end-users and commercial specifications may require athreshold seed weight.

S39 seed is lighter than the other patented varieties (0.297 grams perhundred seeds), and thus is a bit lower than most commercialspecifications in the natural topping market for sesame seed, which (inthe United States) often set a threshold value of 0.30 grams per hundredseed weight. However, S39 seed is suitable for the ingredient andforeign markets.

FIG. 8 provides the SEED OIL CONTENT (Character No. 45) of the currentvarieties. The commercial oil markets generally contractually requirethat sesame seed contain an oil content of at least 50-52%. If the oilcontent is lower than the specified requirement, the contract generallypenalizes the seller. While current commercial practice does not includea monetary incentive to the seller if sesame seed has a higher oilcontent than the contractual requirement, increasing the oil content ofsesame seed may provide de facto advantages to the purchaser or user.

S39 exhibited oil contents of 53.5 and 50.5% (data from Uvalde 2010 and2011) and thus is suitable for use as a source of sesame oil for thecommercial oil market.

FIG. 9 provides the TOLERANCE TO SILVERLEAF WHITEFLY (Character No. 39).This pest is a problem in areas having high temperatures and other cropsthat attract whiteflies, such as vegetable crops. Examples of sesamegrowing areas which may be subject to whitefly issues are the SouthTexas/Lower Rio Grande Valley region, which typically has many acres ofvegetables planted, and Puerto Rico. Having tolerance to the whiteflyprovides a benefit to a sesame variety.

S39 has demonstrated adequate tolerance to whiteflies. Variety S26 (witha rating of 6.0) has been used as a comparative standard for whiteflytolerance; S39 (with a rating of 6.0) had equal tolerance with S26 intesting conducted in Puerto Rico.

FIG. 10 provides the TOLERANCE TO BACTERIAL BLACK ROT (Character No.38). Bacterial black rot may occur, though rare, when there are cool,cloudy days, usually at higher elevations. While there may be littlesesame acreage subject to these conditions, tolerance may still beimportant to some growers.

S39, with a rating of 7.0, exhibits more tolerance when these conditionsare present than most previously described varieties.

On Mar. 13, 2014, a deposit of at least 2500 seeds of sesame plant S39was made by Sesaco Corporation under the provisions of the BudapestTreaty with the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), 10801University Boulevard, Manassas, Va. 20110-2209, and the deposit wasgiven ATCC Accession No. PTA-121091. This deposit will be maintained inthe ATCC depository for a period of 30 years or 5 years after the lastrequest or for the enforceable life of the patent, whichever is longer.Should the seeds from the sesame line S39 deposited with the AmericanType Culture Collection become non-viable, the deposit will be replacedby Sesaco Corporation upon request.

The foregoing invention has been described in some detail by way ofillustration and characters for purposes of clarity and understanding.However, it will be obvious that certain changes and modifications maybe practiced within the scope of the invention as limited only by thescope of the appended claims.

I claim:
 1. A seed of sesame variety designated S39, a sample of saidseed having been deposited under ATCC Accession No. PTA-121091.
 2. Asesame plant produced by growing the seed of sesame variety S39, asample of said seed having been deposited under ATCC Accession No.PTA-121091.
 3. Pollen of said sesame plant of claim
 2. 4. A sesame planthaving all the physiological and morphological characteristics of sesamevariety S39, a sample of the seed of said variety having been depositedunder ATCC Accession No. PTA-121091.
 5. A tissue culture of regenerablecells produced from seed of sesame variety S39, a sample of said seedhaving been deposited under ATCC Accession No. PTA-121091.
 6. A tissueculture of regenerable cells produced from sesame plant S39 produced bygrowing the seed of sesame variety S39, a sample of said seed havingbeen deposited under ATCC Accession No. PTA-121091.
 7. A sesame plantregenerated from a tissue culture of regenerable cells produced fromseed of sesame variety S39, a sample of said seed having been depositedunder ATCC Accession No. PTA-121091, wherein said regenerated sesameplant has all the physiological and morphological characteristics ofsaid sesame variety S39.
 8. A sesame plant regenerated from a tissueculture of regenerable cells produced from a sesame plant produced bygrowing the seed of sesame variety S39, a sample of said seed havingbeen deposited under ATCC Accession No. PTA-121091, wherein saidregenerated sesame plant has all the physiological and morphologicalcharacteristics of said sesame variety S39.
 9. A method of producingsesame seed, comprising crossing a first parent sesame plant with asecond parent sesame plant and harvesting the resultant sesame seed,wherein said first or second parent sesame plant was produced by growingseed of sesame variety S39, a sample of said seed having been depositedunder ATCC Accession No. PTA-121091.